''Big Bang Theory'' is an album by violinist

Billy Bang Billy Bang (September 20, 1947 – April 11, 2011), born William Vincent Walker, was an American free jazz violinist and composer. Biography Bang's family moved to New York City's Bronx neighborhood while he was still an infant, and as a ...

. It was recorded on August 20 and 21, 1999, at

Sound on Sound Studios Sound on Sound Studios, formerly known as MSR Studios (Manhattan Sound Recordings) is a photography and movie producing company recording facility in Montclair, New Jersey. Its forebear, MSR Studios, was located in Manhattan, just outside Times Squ ...

in New York City, and was released in 2000 by Justin Time Records. On the album, Bang is joined by pianist Alexis T. Pope, double bassist Curtis Lundy, and drummer Codaryl Moffett.

Reception

In a review for AllMusic, Al Campbell stated that the musicians are "easily capable of improvisation while maintaining a cohesive balance," and noted the album's "overt statement of spirituality that borders on experimentation while maintaining conventional structures." John Murph of '' JazzTimes'' called the group "a cohesive ensemble with clearly defined roles," and praised "Bang's bluesy, backwoods fiddling" as well as "Curtis Lundy's swaggering bass lines, Alexis Pope's sparkling piano accompaniment and Codaryl Moffett's swinging drumming." A reviewer for '' All About Jazz'' wrote: "Bang is a violinist whose ideas truly seem to be spur-of-the-moment as inspiration radiates, sometimes with physical embellishments, from his instrument to his audiences... the rhythm section of ''Big Bang Theory'' allows Bang to shine as the leader, laying down beats and holding back accompaniment, until it's time to step forth." ''JazzWords Ken Waxman called the album "exemplary," and commented: "CDs like this one... show that among his many other attributes, versatile Bang can output pure swing when he sets his bow to it... In fact, the careful listener would note that this quartet's heartfelt rhythm and relaxed tunefulness, call up the image of no one more than trickster Stuff Smith — mainstream jazz's violin clown prince of the 1930s to 1960s."

Track listing

# "Contrary Motion" (

Kahil El'Zabar Kahil El'Zabar (born Clifton Blackburn; November 11, 1953) is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist (mainly a Percussion instrument, percussionist) and composer. He regularly records for Delmark Records. Life and work El'Zabar was born in Chica ...

) – 5:16 # "At Play in the Fields of the Lord" (Billy Bang) – 7:34 # "Big Bang Theory" (Curtis Lundy) – 9:49 # "Theme for Taraby" (Billy Bang) – 6:03 # "Silent Observation" (Billy Bang) – 7:21 # "One for Jazz (For Dennis Charles)" (Billy Bang) – 4:31 # "Sweet Irene" (Billy Bang) – 6:16 # "

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is an African-American spiritual song and one of the best-known Christian hymns. Originating in early oral and musical African-American traditions, the date it was composed is unknown. Performances by the Hampton Singer ...

" (Traditional) – 2:22 # "Saved by the Bell" (Alexis Pope) – 5:41 # "Little Sunflower" (

Freddie Hubbard Frederick Dewayne Hubbard (April 7, 1938 – December 29, 2008) was an American jazz trumpeter. He played bebop, hard bop, and post-bop styles from the early 1960s onwards. His unmistakable and influential tone contributed to new perspectives fo ...

) – 10:50

Personnel

– violin * Alexis T. Pope – piano * Curtis Lundy – double bass * Codaryl Moffett – drums

References

{{Reflist 2000 albums Billy Bang albums Justin Time Records albums