Bankie Banx is “Just Cool”

Bankie Banx just released his latest album, “Just Cool,” and it describes him perfectly.  Bankie Banx is perhaps the most famous person from Anguilla, and anyone who has ever been to the island certainly knows who he is.  I didn’t become acquainted with Bankie until I began planning our first trip to Anguilla in 2007.  Although Bankie had toured in the United States many times before then, and had played at Reggae Sunsplash, he never hit my radar.  After I booked the trip, Jimmy Buffett released his “Live In Anguilla” CD/DVD set, and many more people learned of, and grew to love, the music of Bankie Banx. In preparation for our trip, I ordered copies of all of Bankie’s CD’s which were available, dating back to “Roots & Herbs” in the late 1970’s.  I loved so many of his songs, with my favorite being “Busted in Barbados.”

Bankie Banks hosts the yearly Moonsplash Festival, held in spring of each year at his bar, The Dune Preserve.  Moonsplash began as a moving music festival with the first concerts on Sandy Island off St. Martin and in St. Barths.  In 1995, Moonsplash landed in its permanent home at The Dune Preserve on Anguilla.  Over the years, Moonsplash has featured many of the performers who have made the island music we love, including Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Steel Pulse, Buju Banton, and Marcia Griffiths, just to name a few.

There is nothing like hearing Bankie perform in person.  We first met, not at a performance, but instead on the beach on Rendezvous Bay, just outside The Dune Preserve.  We were on the beach that afternoon in 2007 taking our Christmas card photo, when my daughter pointed in the direction of Dune Preserve and asked, “Is that Bankie Banx?,”  pretty good for a 10-year-old.  I told her she should find out for herself.  This is one of her most cherished photos.

Bankie invited us to come to the show that night, and we stayed as long as our 8-year-old’s patience and energy would permit.

Every year, we return to have a drink, listen to some music, and get an autographed t-shirt for our daughter.  What attracts so many people to this place is the laid back atmosphere and good music.  It makes you dream of one day staying here forever and being “Stuck in Paradise.”

Give “Just Cool” a listen.  My favorite tracks include “Small Scoops” and “Move On,” which features Bankie’s son, Omari Banks.  You can find it on iTunes and on Amazon. Also, be sure to check out Bankie’s new website dedicated to the album, and read about how the album came to be and preview tracks.  The album website can be found at bankierocks.com

And if you happen to be in Anguilla, don’t miss Bankie’s performances at The Dune Preserve. Moonsplash 2013 will take place February 21 -24, 2013.