Obituary News

Jazz Genius Zim Ngqawana dies at 52

Source: Chris Rich
May 11, 2011

South African musician Zim Ngqawana has died in the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital after suffering a stroke on Monday. He was 52. Manager Ayanda Nhlapo said Ngqawana, who played the flute and saxophone, had been rehearsing at his home in Troyeville for a show at Wits on the weekend when he had the stroke. “I think Zim was extremely insightful and he was very much aware of a lot of things that a lot of people seem not to want ...

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Cornell Dupree - R.I.P.

Source: Sound Insights by Doug Payne
May 10, 2011

The legendary guitarist Cornell Dupree died on Sunday, May 8, 2011. He was 68 years old. Dupree had earlier been diagnosed with emphysema and was to have had a lung transplant. A benefit concert was held at BB King's New York City club on March 11 to help raise funds for Dupree's medical expenses. Born on December 19, 1942, in Fort Worth, Texas, Dupree was discovered by King Curtis, who brought the young guitarist to New York City, where his ...

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Billy Bang

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland
April 15, 2011

Like many other jazz fans, I was saddened to hear of the passing of the great violinist and composer Billy Bang at the age of 63. Bang's story was a harrowing and inspiring one, after surviving traumatic experiences as a soldier during the Vietnam War, Bang returned to the States, and employed his violin in many jazz contexts from swinging tributes to Stuff Smith to experimental recordings as a leader and a member of the String Trio of New York. ...

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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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