Your song deserves keys that feel lived-in — not programmed, not generic, but played with intention. That is what I bring to every session: Gospel-rooted technique, R&B and Neo Soul sensibility, and over a decade of knowing exactly where a piano line should breathe and where it should push. I am the pianist who makes it happen the way it should.
I am Freddie Banks, a session pianist, keyboardist, and producer based in Chicago, IL. My work spans Gospel, R&B, Neo Soul, Hip-Hop, Worship, and Pop, and my credits include SharmonJarmon!, Stephanie Oguine, The Well, Marcus Rogers, Jeremiah Bligen, and more. I track on a Nord Stage 3 and Roland Gaia SH-01 through an Apollo Twin X with UAD and Slate plug-ins into Logic Pro and Pro Tools — a signal chain built for clean, warm, professional-grade audio. My 191 five-star reviews and 27 repeat clients are the result of one consistent standard: I take your reference seriously, I communicate clearly, and I deliver within 48 hours.
I also built Soul Keys Volume 1, a proprietary piano library designed specifically for Logic Pro and MainStage — capturing the warmth of a recorded grand, the grit of a vintage Rhodes, and the weight of a church organ in one purpose-built toolkit. If you want those textures without booking a full session, it is available on my storefront.
To get started, send me your reference track, tempo & key, session file or rough mix, and 2–3 sentences on the feel you want. YouTube links of sound/style references work great as well. Once I have those key factors, I'll take it from there.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Let's create something amazing together.
Contact me today to build the scope of your next project
Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.
Credits
Endorse Freddie Banks192 Reviews - 27 Repeat Clients
check_circleVerifiedfreddie was outstanding! a true professional who knows his craft. he really cared about what vision and ideas were and brought them to life while also incorporating his style. solid guy.
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Not nearly enough stars for Freddie. I have worked with him on many songs. Always professional, fast and very diverse in his playing and approach and sound. He can take direction, or create on his own. He definitely picks up quickly on any direction you are looking to go on your song. Looking forward to many more collabs with Freddie.
check_circleVerifiedFreddie knows his stuff! Met my expectations and some more! Enthusiastic, excellent communication and overall great person to work with! Highly recommend!
check_circleVerifiedFreddie is a really talented pianist and excellent collaborator. Looking forward to working on more in the very near future.
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Freddie is so professional and the best pianist I've ever worked with. He played exactly like what I wanted and this jazzy sound and his solo made my song more beautiful. I am sure I will be working with him again soon.
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Freddie can take an idea and build a beautiful production. Even though I needed keys done, he know how to get the work done and exceeds.
check_circleVerifiedFreddie took my instrumental to the next level! He played the organ just like what I had in mind. He’s a beast on keys, he added so much soul and flavor to my track. He’s fast, efficient, and professional! I look forward to working with him again!
check_circleVerifiedFreddie is not only an exceptionally talented pianist but also an incredibly thoughtful collaborator and arranger. He incorporated my notes and feedback quickly and offered helpful insights when needed. I couldn’t speak more highly of him and his services!
check_circleVerifiedThank you so much, Freddie! Always love working with you!
check_circleVerifiedanother amazing job, great talent and super professional.
Till next time.God bless you- check_circleVerified
Great job, always super professional with an amazing talent...
Thanks Freddie - check_circleVerified
As usual Freddie delivered a top notch music performance. you can enjoy his talent into the first note of the song..Master class work'God bless you
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Absolute dream to work with — Freddie’s a total pro and crazy patient. Y’all better book him before he’s fully booked! 💯🔥
check_circleVerifiedBrilliant. Being creative and musically gifted is not good enough. Freddie is so able to understand what — you the client needs — and then even better — what you really need but didn’t know you needed. This is a unique skill and makes it such a pleasure to work with Freddie. Highly recommend!
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another masterpiece from Freddie, great job
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Amazing musician with a great talent, he is able to play anything you want with super professionality. Very glad to work with him
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Unbelievable work, amazing musician and very fast to delivery the tracks. Super professional and very talented..
One of the best
Great - check_circleVerified
Another great job with Freddie. He played some really cool parts that gave the song just what it needed. Great communication and a total pro! Looking forward to future jobs with him. 5 stars
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Excellent service! I love working with Freddie. One thing I can say that he add his touch the music to bring it live but always keep the original concept in mind! Will highly recommend him
check_circleVerifiedAnother successful project with Freddie. He is a true professional, and he truly carried out my vision for my song. I hope to work with him again in the near future!
Interview with Freddie Banks
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Completing instrumentals and multitracks to further show my abilities and strengths while also learning my novices and weaknesses. Also, I want to begin composing/licensing for multimedia in the near future
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To serve as a creative asset in efforts to provide quality, meaningful, and memorable sound as a staple in the identity and presentation of music & multimedia worldwide.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What's your overall goal with this production? What are we aiming to invoke from the listener? How can I serve you in your efforts to achieve this goal?
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: It varies, gospel is my roots, but I'm also able to play pop, rock, r&b and jazz as well, and I'm an 'OK' sight-reader too so I'd like to think I'm pretty versatile. I refuse to box myself into one lane.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Keyboard chops, synthesis, sound design, and since I've started on SoundBetter, my ear for arranging has grown much stronger
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a simple home set up with my MacBook Pro running Pro Tools 2020, Logic Pro X, my Roland Fantom, Roland Gaia SH-01, Roland Cloud VST's, and dozens of virtual instruments in my arsenal. But my new pride and joy is my Nord Electro 6D. Most of my piano tracks are recorded with it now, and it's a huge improvement to my quality of work.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Jamel Kimbrough, Vaughan Phoenix, Jim Daneker, Ray Chew, Adam Blackstone, Daniel Weatherspoon, Robert "Sput" Searight, Aaron Lindsey, Chris Baker, Rodney East, Mike Patrick, James Poyser, Julian Pollack, Nicolas Semrad, Cory Henry, Shaun Martin, just to name a few.... 😉
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I was able to be apart of a recording project for my church in Chicago, where I played as one of the keyboardists and hammond organist. It was a memorable experience, being my first live recording. I'm believing it to be the first of may more to come
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Oh boy.... digital, because VST's have improved so greatly over the years, and it beats having to carry around heavy equipment and causing wear and tear on them, although they sound great in their on right. But at the same time, nothing beats the warmth of analog sound.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: A loaded question! But if I could bring Michael Jackson back to life, that'd be a dream come true. RIP King of Pop
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The fact that I can use my gifts and talents as a means to both serve someone on their project, as well as a means of provision for myself.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Don't overlook those who don't have the experience or credentials as those at the top. We're all trying to work to get to the same level. Be willing to work with the underdogs.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: MacBook Pro, Roland A800 Controller, Roland JDXA, Sennheiser HD280 headphones, Large sausage pizza
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been working as a keyboardist since 16, and went to college to further my studies in music and audio production. the past 10 years has taught me quite a lot, and I'm grateful. It enables me to continue on and gain more traction in the music business.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Edgy yet calm, aggressive yet relaxed, versatile yet focused.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Name your tracks! Save your engineer the headache!
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Clarity by means of quality, well-thought, and precise music accompaniment, manifesting the goal and vision in the mind of the artist.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Generally, I'll hear the demo that's sent to me by the client to get an overall feel of what they're trying to accomplish. Next, I'll write out the chord progressions appropriate for the melody being sung, or what type of rhythm or syncopation comes to mind along with it. I'll then use various synth leads or pads to add more texture and feel to the song where necessary.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most of my work will consist of me accompanying the song by means of keyboards, piano and synths, all tailored to the feel of the song. I'm also able to assist in songwriting, and arranging as well.
I was the Keyboardist/CoProducuer in this production
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $150 per song
- PianoAverage price - $150 per song
- Full instrumental productionAverage price - $300 per song
- ProducerContact for pricing
Turnaround: 48 Hours. Pricing may vary by project scope. Includes revisions as needed. Final files delivered in WAV (24bit/48kHz) + MIDI if applicable.
- Nord Stage 3
- Roland Gaia SH-01
- Sibelius
- Pro Tools
- Logic Pro
- Apollo Twin X
- UAD plug-ins
- Slate Plugins
New here? Get a discounted rate on your first piano/keys recording. Perfect for trying out my sound and workflow with no pressure. Includes high-quality WAV + MIDI delivery.
