Obituary News

Billy Bang - R.I.P.

Source: Sound Insights by Doug Payne
April 14, 2011

The great jazz violinist and composer Billy Bang, born William Vincent Walker on September 20, 1947, in Mobile, Alabama, died at his home in Harlem on April 11. The cause of death was complications due to lung cancer. Billy Bang moved with his family to Harlem, New York while still an infant. He studied violin in school and took up drums and flute independently. He briefly attended the exclusive Stockbridge prep school in Massachusetts with no music curriculum, then dropped ...

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Bob "Sir Bob-O" Washington, 1922-2011

Source: Chris M. Slawecki
April 13, 2011

In Kirkland, WA, on March 20th, 2011, one day shy of his 89th birthday, Bob Washington—"Sir Bob-O"—left this world to join the very large Jazz ensemble in a better place, joining his friends and heroes, “Satchmo," “Duke," “Count," “Hamp," “Pres," “Bird," and many others after a brave, lengthy battle with heart and lung ailments.

Known and revered as a robustly talented and tireless organizer, leader, and participant in the arts and civic affairs for over fifty years, Bob enriched the ...

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Billy Bang (1947-2011): An Appreciation

Source: Something Else!
April 13, 2011

By S. Victor Aaron The jazz world suffered a significant loss Monday with the passing of violinist Billy Bang. Reportedly afflicted with lung cancer, Bang, born William Vincent Walker, was 63 years old. Given his stage name from friends as a youth, a name taken from a cartoon character, Bang's life was anything but comical. He studied violin as a boy but didn't fit into a prep school he earned a hardship scholarship for, and was drafted into the U.S. ...

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Billy Bang, 1947-2011

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
April 13, 2011

The violinist Billy Bang, who created himself as a jazz musician out of the trauma of the Vietnam war, died yesterday at 63. Inhabited by his combat experiences, his emotions wounded, Bang found relief and rehabilitation by returning to the violin he had studied as a child. He pursued an intensity of expression that helped that helped him evade his demons. He became one of the most centered players in the free movement, inspired by John Coltrane and by the ...

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Jazz Violinist Billy Bang Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
April 12, 2011

American jazz violinist Billy Bang has died at the age of 63. The musician passed away on Monday (11, Apr 2011) after reportedly battling lung cancer, according to publication Jazz Times. Born William Walker in Alabama, the star embarked on a career in music after serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He went on to enjoy a career spanning four decades, co-founding the String Trio of New York, alongside guitarist James Emery and double bassist John Lindberg. ...

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Jazz violinist Billy Bang dead at 63

Source: Michael Ricci
April 12, 2011

One of Rochester's favorite musicians, jazz violinist Billy Bang, has died at the age of 63. Over the past decade Bang appeared many times in Rochester, including a collaboration with Garth Fagan Dance. A favorite at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Bang was scheduled to play on the first day of the 2011 festival (running June 10-18). It would have been his fourth festival appearance. “Billy was extremely well liked in Rochester and had an exceptionally loyal following," says ...

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A Celebration of Ron Hudson

Source: Seattle Jazz Scene
April 11, 2011

Monday, April 11—Jazz Alley 2033 6th Avenue, Seattle Time: 7:00pm (Program starts at 7:30pm) Vocalist and author Katy Bourne published a nice piece on Ron Hudson that we'd like to share: The Seattle jazz community lost a dear friend with the recent death of photographer Ron Hudson. For over three decades, Ron photographed some of the greatest artists in jazz history. With a keen eye and a fierce passion for the music, Ron captured intimate moments from hundreds of jazz ...

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R.I.P. Pinetop Perkins

Source: JamBase
March 23, 2011

JULY 7, 1913-MARCH 21, 2011 Legendary bluesman Pinetop Perkins passed away yesterday at his home in Austin, TX. He was 97 years old. A highly influential piano man, Perkins played with luminaries like Earl Hooker and Sam Philips before spending more than a decade playing with Muddy Waters. In 1980, he left to form The Legendary Blues Band with Willie “Big Eyes" Smith. Perkins also released several highly regarded solo albums, including 1988's After Hours, and 1998's Sweet Black Angel. ...

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