BANISTER, JOHN (163o-1679), English violinist, was sent to France by Charles II. to study, and on his return was made leader of the king's band in succession to Baltzar. On Dec. 3o, 1672, he gave the first of a series of concerts at his own house, and may be said to have been the first giver of concerts on a financial basis in London (see CONCERTS: History). Many songs of his and some short pieces for strings are preserved. His son, JOHN BANISTER (d. 1735), was, like his father, principal violin in the Italian opera at Drury Lane, and contributed to Henry Playford's Division Violin (1685).