violins hanging at the back of a pawnshop, and he impulsively purchased one. He later joined Sun Ra's band. In 1977, Bang co-founded the String Trio of New York (with guitarist James Emery and double bassist John Lindberg). Billy Bang explored his experience in Vietnam in two albums: Vietnam: The Aftermath (2001) and Vietnam: Reflections (2005), recorded with a band which included several other veterans of that war. The latter album also features two Vietnamese musicians based in the United States (voice and đàn tranh zither). Bang died on April 11, 2011. According to an associate, Bang had had lung cancer. He had been scheduled to perform on the opening day of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 10, 2011. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York. Discography As leader 1977: Black Man's Blues (& Survival Ensemble) (Unissued NoBusiness 2011) 1978: New York Collage (& Survival Ensemble) (Anima Recs reissued as NoBusiness 2011) 1979: Distinction Without a Difference (hat Hut) 1979: Sweet Space (Anima) 1981: Rainbow Gladiator (Soul Note) 1981: Changing Seasons (Bellows) 1982: Invitation (Soul Note) 1982: Bangception, Willisau 1982 (hatOLOGY) 1982: Live at Green Space (Anima) 1983: Outline No. 12 (Celluloid) 1983: Bangception (Hat Hut) 1984: The Fire from Within (Soul Note) 1986: Live at Carlos 1 (Soul Note) 1991: Valve No. 10 (Soul Note) 1992: A Tribute to Stuff Smith (Soul Note) 1996: Spirits Gathering (CIMP) 1997: Bang On! (Justin Time) 1997: Commandment (No More) 1999: Big Bang Theory (Justin Time) 2001: Vietnam: The Aftermath (Justin Time) 2003: Hip Hop Bebop (ITM) 2004: Vietnam: Reflections (Justin Time) 2005: Configuration (Silkheart) with Sirone 2007: Above and Beyond: An Evening in Grand Rapids (Justin Time) 2008: Live at the Sunset, FAB trio (Fonda/Altschul/Bang) (Marge) 2009: Four Seasons - East meets West (Heart Lord Studio, Japan) 2010: Prayer for Peace (TUM) 2013: Da Bang! (TUM) With the String Trio of New York First String (Black Saint, 1979) Area Code 212 (Black Saint, 1980) Common Goal (Black Saint, 1983) Rebirth of a Feeling (Black Saint, 1983) Natural Balance (Black Saint, 1986) As sideman With Ahmed Abdullah Tara's Song (TUM, 2005) Traveling the Spaceways (Planet Arts, 2004) With Marilyn Crispell Spirit Music (Cadence, 1983) With Kahil El'Zabar Big Cliff (Delmark, 1995) The Power (CIMP, 2000) Spirits Entering (Delmark, 2001) If You Believe... (8th Harmonic Breakdown, 2002) Live at the River East Art Center (Delmark, 2005) Big M: A