Da Bang!

Last updated
Da Bang!
Billy Bang Da Bang.jpg
Studio album by
Billy Bang
Released2013
RecordedFebruary 2 and 3, 2011
StudioStudio MI, Finnish Broadcasting Company, Helsinki, Finland
Genre Jazz
Length58:02
Label Tum Records
CD 034
Billy Bang chronology
Black Man's Blues
(2011)		Da Bang!
(2013)		 Medicine Buddha
(2014)

Da Bang! is an album by violinist Billy Bang. It was recorded on February 2 and 3, 2011, roughly two months before Bang's death, at Studio MI of the Finnish Broadcasting Company in Helsinki, Finland, and was released in 2013 by Tum Records. On the album, Bang is joined by trombonist Dick Griffin, pianist Andrew Bemkey, double bassist Hilliard Greene, and drummer Newman Taylor Baker. The recording features one composition each by Bang, Barry Altschul, Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Miles Davis, and Sonny Rollins. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
All About Jazz Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
All About JazzStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [6]
All About JazzStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [7]
All About JazzStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [8]
All About JazzStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [9]
All About JazzStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
The Irish Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]

In a review for PopMatters , John Garratt wrote: "Do you know what the difference is between a sad farewell and going out on a happy high note? It's Billy Bang playing 'All Blues' and 'St. Thomas', that's what. To listen to Da Bang! while thinking about death isn't an act of moping. It's reflection, the satisfaction that comes with a life well lived and a career worth preserving for the next generation." [12]

Cormac Larkin of The Irish Times stated: "Fans of the violin in jazz have precious little to choose from..., so this final album from the late Billy Bang will prick a few ears... Bang – who knew he was dying of cancer – delivers a last testament shot through with emotion, referencing the key influences on his music." [11]

Point of Departure's Ed Hazell commented: "As farewell statements go, Da Bang! is a wise and joyful one... It wouldn't be right to call Da Bang! a career summary, but accumulated years of playing experience can be heard in every note Billy Bang plays on it. Instead Da Bang! is the final exclamation point to Billy Bang's long shout of joy and pain." [13]

Writing for The Whole Note, Stuart Broomer remarked: "The front line of Bang's eerily thin violin sound and Dick Griffin's robust trombone is very distinctive, emphasizing the combination of frailty and force that gives Bang's work a special intensity... The band sounds as if Bang assembled it for maximum authority... Da Bang! is a powerful final testament." [14]

In one of six All About Jazz reviews, Hrayr Attarian called the recording a "landmark release" and "a sublime album of rich harmonies, multifaceted emotions, and tight, intellectually stimulating spontaneity." [5] AAJ's Dan McClenaghan noted that Bang's music "is often quite beautiful in its exuberance while compelling in its rough-hewn folksiness," and stated that the tracks "brim with Bang's infectious joy of creation." [6] Troy Collins described the album as "a poignant farewell from a singular artist whose creative legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations," [7] while John Sharpe praised the "unvarnished verité of the recording, which allows every nuance of string, gut and wood to conjoin in a poignantly vulnerable tone." [8] Glenn Astarita stated that Bang's "artistic brilliance and total command of the jazz vernacular is passionately conveyed here," [9] and Eyal Hareuveni called Da Bang! "A beautiful reminder of Bang the master musician, composer, improviser and a great human being." [10]

Michael Ullman of The Arts Fuse remarked: "Bang played in formidable avant-garde groups, but there is nothing forbidding about his music or his exciting approach to improvisation. His was not what you would call a classical technique: but it was uniquely his, though, and it will be missed." [15]

Writing for Something Else!, S. Victor Aaron commented: "The living vitality of his violin is manifestly evident in a man still at the peak of his powers, plucking, strumming, scraping and so rhythmically aware... He didn't get a chance to script his parting statement the world, but it's not inconceivable that he wouldn't have done it any differently than what he did with Da Bang!." [16]

Track listing

  1. "Da Bang" (Barry Altschul) – 8:16
  2. "Guinea" (Don Cherry) – 12:26
  3. "Daydreams" (Billy Bang) – 13:53
  4. "Law Years" (Ornette Coleman) – 7:49
  5. "All Blues" (Miles Davis) – 10:06
  6. "St. Thomas" ( Sonny Rollins) – 5:14

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Bang</span> American jazz violinist and composer

Billy Bang, born William Vincent Walker, was an American free jazz violinist and composer.

<i>Jai deux amours</i> 2005 studio album by Dee Dee Bridgewater

J'ai deux amours is an album by Dee Dee Bridgewater. This was Bridgewater's first album of French music; she lived in France for more than two decades and speaks French.

<i>The Song of Singing</i> 1971 studio album by Chick Corea

The Song of Singing is a studio album by Chick Corea, released in 1971 on Blue Note Records. The recording features bassist Dave Holland and drummer/percussionist Barry Altschul.

<i>Doin the Thing</i> 1961 live album by the Horace Silver Quintet

Doin' the Thing is a live album by jazz pianist Horace Silver, released on the Blue Note label in 1961. It was the only live album released featuring the "classic" Horace Silver Quintet.

Tyrone Washington is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.

<i>Roscoe Mitchell Quartet</i> 1976 live album by Roscoe Mitchell

Roscoe Mitchell Quartet is an album by American jazz saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell recorded in 1975 and released on the Canadian Sackville label.

<i>New York Concerts: The Jimmy Giuffre 3 & 4</i> 2014 live album by Jimmy Giuffre

New York Concerts: The Jimmy Giuffre 3 & 4 is a 2014 live album by saxophonist and clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre recorded on May 19, 1965, by Zev Feldman of Elemental Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abbey Rader</span> American avant-garde jazz drummer (born 1943)

Abbey Rader is an American avant-garde jazz drummer. Throughout his childhood and early career, he worked in New York City where loft jazz, bebop, and free jazz influenced him. He played and taught across Europe in the 1970s and 1980s and then returned to North America to create music that combines free jazz, martial arts, and Buddhism. He has recorded over twenty-five albums as a leader and has worked with Dave Liebman, John Handy, Billy Bang, Dr. L. Subramaniam, and Mal Waldron in a career spanning over four decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hilliard Greene</span> American jazz musician

Hilliard Greene is an American bassist specializing in modern creative, improvised, and jazz music, as well as a music educator.

<i>Live in Miami @ The WDNA Jazz Gallery</i> 2017 live album by Roberto Magris Sextet

Live in Miami @ The WDNA Jazz Gallery is an album by jazz pianist Roberto Magris recorded live in Miami at the WDNA radio station's Jazz Gallery, released on the JMood label in 2017, and featuring performances by the Roberto Magris Sextet, also including Brian Lynch.

Suite! is a double album by jazz pianist Roberto Magris released on the JMood label in 2019, featuring performances by Magris with his group from Chicago.

<i>Configuration</i> (album) 2005 live album by Sirone and Billy Bang

Configuration is a live album by bassist Sirone and violinist Billy Bang, recorded in November, 2004, at CBGB's Gallery in New York City, and released in 2005 by Silkheart Records. On the album, the musicians are joined by the members of the Sirone Bang Ensemble: saxophonist Charles Gayle and drummer Tyshawn Sorey.

<i>How to Turn the Moon</i> 2020 studio album by Angelica Sanchez and Marilyn Crispell

How to Turn the Moon is an album by pianists Angelica Sanchez and Marilyn Crispell. It was recorded at Nevessa Production in Woodstock, New York, in September 2019, and was released in 2020 by Pyroclastic Records.

<i>Taras Song</i> 2005 studio album by Ahmed Abdullahs Ebonic Tones

Tara's Song is an album by trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah. It was recorded on May 10, 2004, at Loho Studios in New York City, and was released in 2005 by TUM Records. On the album, Abdullah is joined by members of his band Ebonic Tones: saxophonist Alex Harding, violinist Billy Bang, bassist Alex Blake, and drummer Andrei Strobert.

<i>Memory in the Center</i> 2014 live album by Ernest Dawkins and the Live the Spirit Residency Big Band

Memory in the Center, an Afro Opera: Homage to Nelson Mandela is a live album by saxophonist and composer Ernest Dawkins and the Live the Spirit Residency Big Band. It was recorded at the 2014 Chicago Jazz Festival, and was released later that year by Dawkins's Dawk Music label. The recording documents the premiere of a large-scale composition that pays tribute to Nelson Mandela, who died in December 2013. Dawkins composed and conducted the work, but did not appear as a performer.

<i>Prayer for Peace</i> (Billy Bang album) 2010 studio album by Billy Bang

Prayer for Peace is an album by violinist Billy Bang. It was recorded on August 30 and 31, 2005, at Avatar Studios in New York City, and was released in 2010 by Tum Records. On the album, Bang is joined by trumpeter James Zollar, pianist Andrew Bemkey, double bassist Todd Nicholson, drummer Newman Taylor Baker, and, on two tracks, percussionists Milton Cardona and Joe Gonzalez.

<i>Billy Bang/Bill Cole</i> 2010 live album by Billy Bang and Bill Cole

Billy Bang/Bill Cole is a live album by violinist Billy Bang and multi-instrumentalist Bill Cole. It was recorded on April 17, 2009, at the University of Virginia Chapel in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was released in 2010 by Cole's Shadrack label. On the album, which features three compositions and three free improvisations, Cole performs on flute, digeridoo, nadaswaram, suona, and shehnai.

<i>Vietnam: The Aftermath</i> 2001 studio album by Billy Bang

Vietnam: The Aftermath is an album by violinist Billy Bang. It was recorded on April 13 and 14, 2001, at Sorcerer Sound in New York City, and was released later that year by Justin Time Records. On the album, Bang is joined by saxophonist Frank Lowe, flutist Sonny Fortune, trumpeter Ted Daniel, pianist John Hicks, double bassist Curtis Lundy, drummer Michael Carvin, and percussionist Ron Brown. The ensemble is conducted by Butch Morris.

<i>Vietnam: Reflections</i> 2005 studio album by Billy Bang

Vietnam: Reflections is an album by violinist Billy Bang. It was recorded on May 18 and 19, 2004, at Nola Recording Studios in New York City, and was released in 2005 by Justin Time Records. On the album, Bang is joined by saxophonist James Spaulding, flutist Henry Threadgill, trumpeter Ted Daniel, pianist John Hicks, double bassist Curtis Lundy, drummer Michael Carvin, percussionist Ron Brown, vocalist Co Boi Nguyen, and đàn tranh player Nhan Thanh Ngo. The ensemble is conducted by Butch Morris.

<i>Bangception</i> 1983 live album by Billy Bang and Dennis Charles

Bangception is a live album by violinist Billy Bang and drummer Dennis Charles. It was recorded on August 29, 1982, at the Jazz Festival Willisau in Willisau, Switzerland, and was released on vinyl in 1983 by the hat MUSICS label. In 1998, the album was reissued on CD with the title Bangception, Willisau 1982 on the hatOLOGY label.

References

  1. ↑ "Billy Bang: Da Bang!". AllMusic. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Billy Bang - Da Bang!". Jazz Music Archives. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Billy Bang / Da Bang! / TUM CD 034". Tum Records. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  4. ↑ "TUM Records discography". JazzLists. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Attarian, Hrayr (July 24, 2013). "Billy Bang: Da Bang!". All About Jazz. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  6. 1 2 McClenaghan, Dan (August 1, 2013). "Billy Bang: Da Bang!". All About Jazz. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Collins, Troy (August 4, 2013). "Billy Bang: Da Bang!". All About Jazz. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Sharpe, John (August 27, 2013). "Billy Bang: Da Bang!". All About Jazz. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Astarita, Glenn (September 7, 2013). "Billy Bang: Da Bang!". All About Jazz. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Hareuveni, Eyal (September 15, 2013). "Billy Bang: Da Bang!". All About Jazz. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Larkin, Cormac (September 6, 2013). "Billy Bang: Da Bang!". The Irish Times. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Garratt, John (October 1, 2013). "Billy Bang: Da Bang!". PopMatters. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  13. ↑ Hazell, Ed (September 2013). "Moment's Notice: Reviews of Recent Recordings". Point of Departure. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  14. ↑ Broomer, Stuart (August 29, 2013). "Da Bang! - Billy Bang". The Whole Note. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  15. ↑ Ullman, Michael (July 12, 2013). "Jazz CD Review: Violinist Billy Bang's Superb Final Recording — 'Da Bang!'". The Arts Fuse. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  16. ↑ Aaron, S. Victor (July 2, 2013). "Billy Bang – Da Bang! (2013)". Something Else!. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.