Rainbow Gladiator

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".

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."

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

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


 * 1) "Rainbow Gladiator" - 14:19
 * 2) "Ebony Minstrel Man" - 4:16
 * 3) "New York After Dark" - 7:20
 * 4) "Broken Strings" - 2:44
 * 5) "Yaa - Woman Born on Thursday" - 5:09
 * 6) "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