Real name: Frank E. Banta

Effective period / Period of releases: 1917 - 1927

American pianist, born in 1897, died in 1969. He was the son of pioneer recording pianist Frank P. Banta and served as house piano accompanist for the Victor Talking Machine Company in the 1910s - 1920s. Among the many ensembles he participated in were Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra, Fred Van Eps Trio and Quartet, the Club Royal Orchestra, and The Great White Way Orchestra. He also recorded prolifically as accompanist for Rudy Wiedoeft, Frank Crumit, and Henry Burr in addition to several piano solos. Banta was also part of The Eight Famous Victor Artists, the touring ensemble Victor created to promote its recordings.