Julian Banks

Julian Banks is a Melbourne-based saxophonist, composer and bandleader, originally from Canberra, whose music is built around clear melody, groove and open improvisation. His own projects have appeared at the Ubud Village Jazz Festival in Bali and the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues, and as a sideman he has performed in projects led by Freedman Jazz Fellowship recipients Christopher Hale and Ben Hauptmann, including appearances at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Adelaide International Guitar Festival. Three of his compositions are included in the Australian Jazz Real Book.

Banks has released two previous recordings of original music, Julian Banks Trio (2014) and Agung (2017). His latest album, OxyMoron, out September 2026 with his quartet — James Gilligan (bass), Louis King (guitar), Joe Talia (drums), with Kade Brown on keys for the title track — is his first new release of original music in close to a decade, following a difficult stretch that pulled him away from playing. Melodic, groove-driven and often joyful, OxyMoron is as much about finding his way back to music as it is about the years away.

Gear

King Supersonic Tenor Saxophone 

Mark Spencer Mouthpiece

Endorsed by D'addario woodwinds and Syos 

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