Frank P. Banta (March 29, 1870 - November 30, 1903) was an American pianist and recording artist active in the 1890s and 1900s.
[3] By December of the same year, he was leading "Banta's Parlor Orchestra" for the North American Phonograph Company.
[7] The bulk of Frank P. Banta's recording activity was as the house pianist of Edison's National Phonograph Company.
[10] Banta was an early adopter and proponent of ragtime and his accompaniments are some of the earliest recorded examples of the style.
[12] Frank P. Banta died in New York aged 33 after an extended period of poor health.