The British Musical Biography

[E] Banister, John, composer and violinist,
born London, 1030. He was sent by Charles
11. to France, where he studied the violin,
and on his return became leader of the King's
band of music. He established a " Musick
School " at Whitefriars, and gave concerts
from 1672 till 1678. He was dismissed from
the King's band for maintaining that English
violinists were superior to French ones. He
died London, Octobers, 1679. Banister com-
posed music for Davenant's " Circe," 1667
(with P. Humphrej-) ; for Shakespeare's "Tem-
pest ;" and published " New Ayres and Dia-
logues com^josed for voices and viols of two,
three, and four parts," London, 1678 (with
Thomas Low). He also conaposed Lessons
for viols, songs, etc.

[+] His son John (? — 1785) was also a violinist
and a member of the private bands of Charles
II., James II., and Anne. He was also prin-
cipal violinist at the Italian Opera, London.
Author of "The Gentleman's Tutor for the
Flute," . . . 1698, and " The Compleat Tutor
for the Violin, . . 1699, etc.

entry id: 24-R-39