|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| Billy Bang Quartet at Firehouse 12  Firehouse 12's third annual 2007 Fall Jazz Series continues on Friday, November 9th with a two-set performance by the Billy Bang Quartet. Known as “one of the most expressive voices in jazz today” (Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes), Bang, who turned 60 in September, is touring in support of his two latest releases, A Prayer For Peace (Tum Records) and Above and Beyond (Justin Time). His quartet will feature pianist Andrew Bemkey, bassist Todd Nicholson and drummer Zen Matsurra.”Few musicians in any category combine violinist Billy Bang's intrinsic understanding of his instrument's tradition with the adventurousness associated with the New York City loft scene of the 1970's,” wrote AllAboutJazz.com's Jeff Stockton in a recent review. “After 30 years,” adds Village Voice music columnist Tom Hull, “he's reached a pinnacle where everything he does takes your breath away.” Critics have called his music “both accessible and creative” (Scott Yanow, All Music Guide), “emotionally stirring and spiritually uplifting” (Charles J. Gans, AP) and “beautiful and emotionally affecting” (Barry Witherden, Jazz Review). Bang has enjoyed a long and illustrious career in improvised music as one of the most recognizable players on his instrument. A former student of renowned violinist Leroy Jenkins, he has collaborated with Don Cherry, Kahil El'Zabar, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Bill Laswell, Frank Lowe, David Murray, William Parker, Sun Ra, Sam Rivers and James 'Blood' Ulmer among many others. Perhaps best known as a co-founder of The String Trio of New York, he has also helped found groups such as The Survival Ensemble, Tri-Factor and the FAB Trio with Joe Fonda and Barry Altschul. Most recently, he has earned widespread critical acclaim for a pair of recordings, 2001's Vietnam: The Aftermath and 2005's Vietnam: Reflections on Justin Time, that explore his experiences as an Army draftee in Vietnam. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |