"BAZZ"
World Renowned Singer Trumpet Player
Part of Great Ellicottville Oldies Weekend Lineup

“Bazz”, Basil Bankston, a world renowned singer and trumpet player, who has toured the world with K.C. & The Sunshine Band, The Platters and The 4 Tops and just back from Mallorca, Spain perfirming with the Drifters and his own show at the Grand Soller Hotel in Mallorca, Spain. Bazz will join the Rock N’ Oldies Weekend, Saturday, September 20th at Ballons Night Club from 9:30-1:30 performing the greats Motown songs and chartbusters of the 60’s and 70’s. Not only does Bazz have the vocal capabilites to match the original artist, his drive is to top them! You won’t believe it to you hear it for yourself, but it can be done by Bazz! Check it out!

With a repertoire which runs through the 1970s, Bankston has spent his life celebrating Motown’s classics and all the favorite American standards.

A born entertainer, Bankston remembers singing as early as age 4 and says with a laugh that the songs won’t stop until he dies. His love for music shows through his intense and magnificent performances as a vocalist, dancer and trumpeter! Inspired by “The Rat Pack”, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, & Sarah Vaughn, just to name a few! He began playing trumpet at 13 years old and admired Maynard Ferguson and Louis Armstrong’s style of playing.

Over the last 2 years Bazz has released 12 cd’s of the greatest love songs and motown hits, from the greatest standards to all the top of the chart hits through the 60’s and 70’s. He is currnetly working on a Christmass cd to be released in October.

‘‘I want to get back the greatest memories that those people ever had and to make them fall in love again,’’ Bazz said. ‘‘I’ve seen people in my shows get together and just start kissing because of a song they remember. I just thank God that I can be there to do that for them. That’s what really makes me sleep good at night, knowing that what I’m doing is touching people. I like to touch every single one of those people if I can possibly help it. That’s really my mission. My mission on Earth is to perform, to entertain people, to make them happy and fall in love or renew love and memories that put them together.’’

As much a man of faith as he is of music, he cited God and Jesu as having helped him turn his passion into a career and advised that anyone in need should look to them for help. Though a skilled entertainer and renowned singer, Bazz admits he is not without his flaws and mistakes and wants people to know his success came from hard work, dedication, as well as belief in purpose.
Don’t miss Bazz at Ballons on Saturday, September 20th from 9:30-1:30 performing the greats Motown songs and chartbusters of the 60’s and 70’s!