Billy Bang
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Billy Bang (b. William Vincent Walker, Mobile, Alabama, September 20, 1947), is an American jazz violinist and composer. His family moved to New York City's Harlem neighborhood while he was still an infant. After serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, he returned to New York and joined the Sun Ra Arkestra.
In 1977, Bang co-founded the String Trio of New York (with guitarist James Emery and double bassist John Lindberg).
Billy Bang has most recently explored his experience in Vietnam in two albums: Vietnam: The Aftermath (2001) and Vietnam: Reflections (2005), recorded with a band which included several other veterans of that conflict. The latter album also features two Vietnamese musicians based in the United States (voice and đàn tranh zither).
[edit] Selected Discography
Solo:
- Distinction without a Difference (hat Hut, 1979)
- Commandment (No More, 1997)
As leader:
- Sweet Space (Anima, 1979)
- Rainbow Gladiator (Soul Note, 1981)
- Invitation (Soul Note, 1982)
- Bangception, Willisau 1982 (hatOLOGY, 1982)
- Outline No. 12 (Celluloid, 1983)
- The Fire from Within (Soul Note, 1984)
- Live at Carlos 1 (Soul Note, 1986)
- Valve No. 10 (Soul Note, 1991)
- A Tribute to Stuff Smith (Soul Note, 1992)
- Spirits Gathering (CIMP, 1996)
- Bang On! (Justin Time, 1997)
- Big Bang Theory (Justin Time, 1999)
- Vietnam: The Aftermath (Justin Time, 2001)
- Vietnam: Reflections (Justin Time, 2004)
Collaborations:
- Billy Bang & Charles Tyler: Live at Green Space (Anima, 1982)
- String Trio of New York: First String (Black Saint, 1979)
- String Trio of New York: Area Code 212 (Black Saint, 1980)
- String Trio of New York: Common Goal (Black Saint, 1981)
- String Trio of New York: Rebirth of a Feeling (Black Saint, 1983)
- String Trio of New York: Natural Balance (Black Saint, 1986)
- William Hooker/Billy Bang Duo: Joy (Within)! (1994-95)
- Sirone Bang Ensemble: Configuration (Silkheart, 2004)
(dates are recording, not release)
[edit] External links
- Photos: Billy Bang with Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio live 2007 in Salzburg/Austria: http://kairos.biz/j/kahilelzabar.html.
