Billy Bang Heats up Toronto
New York based Violinist Captivates Trane Studio Audience
It was the third song of his first set, but the familiar notes of the classic drew folks into a feeling of awe. This was after all a gem from Miles's most talked about album 'Kind Of Blue'.
On it he had giants like John Coltrane, Paul Chambersand Bill Evansamong others to help fill out the sound, but here was Billy Bang, a New York based violinist, a giant in his own right enveloping the room with the warm sound of his solo violin. It was magic.
He did four numbers at the Trane for the opening set that night most were his originals, reflecting on spirituality with 'Spirits Entering'and then thrilling the audience with haunting memories of his time spent fighting in Vietnam as part of the US Army marine corp. The purging of the experience has given the world two brilliant albums: 'Vietnam The Aftermath' and 'Vietnam Reflections'
Billy Bang Starting Out
Billy Bang was born in Mobile Alabama, but grew up in New York city, his name at the time was William Vincent Walker, his new name Billy Bang was given to him in Junior High School. At first he objected to being nicknamed after a cartoon character, but the name stuck and he is know throughout the world as Billy Bang jazz violinist extraordinaire.
His road to the violin was not one filled with love as he often states, "I hated the thing at first." He tried his hand at a few other instruments before coming back to the violin after discovering that the other instruments were already assigned to others and because in his words; "I always wanted to be a musician."
Billy Bang and the Vietnam Aftermath
His wish to be a musician was interrupted by a stint in Vietnam after being drafted into the US Army. He returned home from the war radicalized, knowing that the war was a mistake. He became involved in the anti war movements along with other shady organizations, but the violin and music kept beckoning and soon he found his way back to the music scene.
Influenced by the sound of John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman, he was soon caught up in the liberating vibe of the free jazz movement and armed with the wisdom of his teacherLeroy Jenkins, he quickly became a part of the bustling dynamic New York avant-garde scene of the seventies.
He has worked with many of the giants of the scene, mainly in New York and Chicago. He has led his own groups including: The Survival Ensemble and worked with people like David Murray, William Parker and the legendary Sam Rivers.
His music reached internation audiences through his work with the New York String Quartet. He has taught at the University of Nebraska and recorded for labels such as Soul Note, Delmark and the Montreal based Justin Time records.
Billy Bang Still On Stage
Back at the Trane Studio, Bang closes the first set with one of his compositions from the 'Vietnam Reflections' CD 'Waltz Of The Water Puppet' and the audience show their love with a standing ovation.
Almost an hour later he is joined on stage by a quintet led by Waleed Kush and together they weaved a magical evening of music.
Billy Bang's album Vietnam Reflections
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Billy Bang with Jazz Zone Host and writer Tien Pro
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