Dragon's Eyes

Written & Performed by: Naomi Banks
Arranged & Conducted by: Guy Barker
With the: BBC Concert Orchestra
Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios – March 2025
Recording engineer: Paul Pritchard
Mastered by: Tony Cousins at Metropolis Studios
Co-produced by: Shironeko & Guy Barker

Naomi Banks is a British singer-songwriter renowned for her ability to blend neo-soul, jazz, pop, and electronic music. She began recording professionally at the age of six and later earned scholarships to the Purcell School of Music and the Trinity Conservatoire, where she specialized in jazz vocals.

She has collaborated with artists such as Laura Mvula, Lianne La Havas, and Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) before launching her solo career. Her debut EP, Déjà Vu (2018), showcased her warm and powerful voice, with tracks like Enough being selected as BBC Introducing’s Track of the Week on Radio 1.

In 2021, she released Meeting Again, further solidifying her distinctive style in the contemporary music scene. She has performed at prestigious venues, including the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and Carnegie Hall.

Banks has also contributed to film soundtracks, notably with her song Those Who Love, featured in the Netflix film Despite Everything (A Pesar De Todo). Additionally, she wrote and produced the music for Valentino’s show Siren, in which she also performed as the Siren. She has also been involved in Punchdrunk’s production of The Burnt City.

With her unique style and ability to blend diverse genres, Naomi Banks continues to captivate audiences with her soulful and dynamic sound.

Guy Barker is a distinguished English jazz trumpeter and composer who has collaborated with a wide array of prestigious artists worldwide. Throughout his career, he has performed alongside legends such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Lena Horne, Liza Minnelli, and Mel Tormé. He has also played on albums with renowned Italian artists, including Ornella Vanoni and Lucio Battisti. In the past decade, Barker has continued to make significant contributions to the jazz and classical music scenes.

In 2015, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to jazz. He also served as Associate Composer of the BBC Concert Orchestra in 2014. Beyond his performances and compositions, Barker has made notable contributions to film music including the soundtrack of The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), a psychological thriller by Anthony Minghella. 

In 2022, Barker premiered two new concertos at the EFG London Jazz Festival: a Guitar Concerto featuring Hong Kong guitarist Eugene Pao and a Clarinet Concerto titled The Art of the Hang, dedicated to his late friend John Cumming and performed by clarinettist Giacomo Smith. 

Dal 2008, Barker ha ricoperto ogni anno il ruolo di direttore musicale e arrangiatore per Jazz Voice: Celebrating a Century of Song, the gala concert at the London Jazz Festival. In 2024, he premiered Inferno 67 at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, a production that blended jazz with theatrical storytelling. Inferno 67 reflects Barker’s appreciation for jazz’s evolution and his affection for film noir and classic TV series.