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Billy Bang: Da Bang!

By Dan McClenaghan
August 1, 2013
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The list of prominent jazz violinists is not a long one. Start with

Stephane Grappelli

violin
1908 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Stephane Grappelli and his legendary Hot Club de France swing recordings with gypsy guitarist

Django Reinhardt

guitar
1910 - 1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Django Reinhardt. Then there's

Stuff Smith

violin
1909 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Stuff Smith and his innovative electrolyzing of the instrument;

Joe Venuti

violin
1903 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Venuti; the late Polish firebrand

Zbigniew Seifert

violin
1946 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Zbigniew Seifert; and the still-active, post-bop/fusion player

Jean-Luc Ponty

violin
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Jean-Luc Ponty.

It's a short list, but it's one that's not complete without the name

Billy Bang

violin
1947 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Bang, who passed away in 2011.

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Bang—born William Walker in Mobile, Alabama—began his career in New York City's Loft Scene of the early '70s after his conscripted service in Vietnam. Tagged as an avant-garde player, he rose to a higher profile with two recordings influenced by his war experiences: Vietnam: The Aftermath (Justin Time, 2001); and Vietnam: Reflections (Justin Time, 2004).

Though the avant tag may be accurate, Bang's music—over thirty albums as a leader— has always been accessible, and is often quite beautiful in its exuberance while compelling in its rough-hewn folksiness.

Recorded in 2011, Da Bang! was the violinist's last recording before his passing in April of that year. It features the violinist in a quintet setting, sharing frontline duties with trombonist

Dick Griffin

trombone
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Dick Griffin and covering tunes penned by a trio of influential fellow free jazzers, along with one of his own extended works and—a bit of a surprise—a couple of very familiar jazz standards to close out the show.

The disc opens with the energetic title tune, written by Bang's collaborator in the FAB Trio, drummer

Barry Altschul

drums
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Barry Altschul. The violinist plays with his characteristic swagger and verve, bolstered by the boldness of Griffin's trombone. The rhythm team— pianist

Andrew Bemkey

piano
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrew Bemkey, bassist

Hilliard Greene

bass
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Hilliard Greene and drummer

Newman Taylor Baker

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Newman Taylor Baker—lock into a groove, allowing the frontline to ride high.

"Guinea," written by trumpeter

Don Cherry

trumpet
1936 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Cherry—alto saxophonist

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman's early musical running mate—opens with first a frenetic and searing, but then percussive Bang solo, before shifting into an ensemble of off-kilter swing, the rhythm section giving off bounce and sparkle. Coleman's "Law Years" opens with bassist Greene laying down the melody, leading into Griffin's rough-around-the-edges solo. Bemkey gets his turn too, and proves himself—again and again on this set—to be intense and inventive as a soloist and a perfect accompanist.

The fourteen-minute "Daydream," Bang's lone songwriting credit here, is a meditative gem, opening with a delicately beautiful piano turn before Bang's violin cries in. The leader's playing here is at its most heartfelt and intimate on this gorgeous centerpiece to one of Bang's finest recorded outings.

Bang isn't particularly known for his work with jazz standards, but he closes the set with trumpeter

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' "All Blues," sounding wistful before shifting into a celebratory mood on saxophonist

Sonny Rollins

saxophone
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas." Both tunes are treated with reverence and both of them—and the entire set—brim with Bang's infectious joy of creation.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Da Bang; Guinea; Daydreams; Law Years; All Blues; St Thomas.

Personnel

Billy Bang

violin

Billy Bang: violin; Dick Griffin: trombone; Andrew Bemkey: piano; Hilliard Greene: bass; Newman Taylor-Baker: drums.

Album information

Title: Da Bang! | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: TUM Records

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