Expect to be Amazed: Billy Bang and Kahil El'Zabar
Forget the cliché “avant garde” label associated with today's jazz pioneers. On June 8, Hallwalls will play host to jazz legends Billy Bang and Kahil El'zabar, a duo that calls for the attention of your ears favoring the likes of hip-hop to classical and everything in between.
World-renowned jazz violinist and master of improvisational composition, Billy Bang, and his partner, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and jazz phenomena, Kahil El'Zabar, are one of the most powerful, free-jazz duos to ever play in Buffalo. Billy Bang started playing the violin while still in elementary school. He grew up in Harlem New York, where he was hand-picked for his school's new music department. Preferring to play the drums or the saxophone, Bang was not as enthusiastic as one may think. Despite his initial reluctance, years of artistry poured into his instrument came through as his signature sound for jazz music, and gave credibility to this incredible innovator.
El'Zabar studied music at the University of Ghana, an experience he deemed especially necessary in finding the root of sound creation. He has played with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Donnie Hathaway, Cannonball Adderly, David Murray, Arthur Blythe, Henry Threadgill and Joseph Bowie, and is responsible for creating the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and The Ritual Trio.
As if all of that weren't enough to get you out the door-- Bang plays the violin in ways that no one even conceptualized until he came on the scene over thirty years ago.
El'Zabar is an absolute master of percussion, he plays a multitude of instruments in addition to congas, bongos, African Drum, gongs, trap drum, balaphone, marimba, and sanza. Clearly the foundation for the Hip/Hop, R&B, and Rap genres. This is a concert for everyone; expect to be amazed.
June 8 8 PM $15 general admission, $10 members/students/seniors Hallwalls 341 Delaware.14202
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