Rainbow Gladiator is an album by the American jazz violinist Billy Bang, recorded in 1981 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.

Reception

The editors of AllMusic awarded the album 4 stars, and reviewer Scott Yanow called it "a good introduction to his music for those who have an open mind toward adventurous jazz".

Rainbow Gladiator

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album a full 4 stars, calling it "a terrific record, bright, percussive and packed with ideas."

Rainbow Gladiator

Critic Tom Hull assigned the album a rating of "A–", commenting: "the interplay is exhilarating more often than not."

Rainbow Gladiator

Robert Spencer of All About Jazz described the album as "expansive and warm," "one of Billy Bang's best recordings," and praised the title track, calling it "the brilliant, good-humored jewel of the disc."

Track listing

All compositions by Billy Bang

"Rainbow Gladiator" - 14:19

"Ebony Minstrel Man" - 4:16

"New York After Dark" - 7:20

"Broken Strings" - 2:44

"Yaa - Woman Born on Thursday" - 5:09

"Bang's Bounce" - 3:23

Recorded at Barigozzi Studio in Milano, Italy on June 10 & 11, 1981

Personnel

Billy Bang - violin

Charles Tyler - alto saxophone, baritone saxophone

Michele Rosewoman – piano

Wilber Morris – bass

Dennis Charles – drums

References

Black Saint/Soul Note albums

Billy Bang albums

1981 albums