Louis Banks plans music school in Darjeeling

DARJEELING: It was a real homecomingfor the king of Indian jazz, Louis Banks, after nearly 30 years. It encouragedhim to plan an international school of music in Darjeeling. Speakingat a press conference on Thursday evening, Banks said that in order to open amusic school of international standard he would keep in touch with some famousforeign musicians. Berkley College of Music has also shown interestin opening their music school in India. During his stay inDarjeeling, Banks took his son Gino to his old schools, St Robert''s and StJoseph''s and met his old pals and acquaintances. He said, "I havenot become a Bollywood music director as my scope of music is wider. Iconcentrate on movies and directors that appeal to me but my focus is playing,performing and writing music that stimulates me." He mentioned thathe also met a popular local female singer, Shanti Thatal, and called her"Nepalese Lata Mangeshkar". "She (Thatal) has such a lovely voiceyet the world outside Darjeeling doesn''t know her. There are plenty of talenthere and given the right opportunity they can do lots for the country," Bankssaid. The Louis Banks Brotherhood includes Gino Banks on drums,Sonia Saigal on vocals, Sheldon d''Silva on bass guitar, Tala on saxophone andShadab Hussian on percussion.