The education and community engagement manager at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is remembering Tommy Banks as a glowing chracter with an amazing ability to connect with people.

Brent Johnson says he first met the award-winning musician and senator in 2011 when Johnson was general manager of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.

"I was just blown away by what a gentleman he was. You know, he's a real class act. And then the next day when we got into rehearsal with the jazz orchestra I was just blown away by his musicianship and his piano playing and his band leading," says Johnson.

Johnson says Banks had an amazing ability to connect with people.

Banks died yesterday in the palliative care unit at Edmonton's Grey Nuns Hospital. He was 81.