Blues, Jazz, Rock Violinists?

Billy Bang. I recently listened to his Vietnam - The Aftermath CD, after having not listened to it for many years, and it was a good listen.

It's interesting to see all the Grappelli lovers here. I'm sure that this is my own issue, but....

I absolutely LOVE Django, but I have to listen "around" Grappelli to enjoy the music. There's something about his playing that grates on me and detracts from Django's beauty.

Like I said, this is a reflection on me, not Grappelli, but it does drive me nuts.

Marty

PS Ghost, World Party always played live with a fiddler (at least on the ocassions that I saw them). I'd have to go back and listen to the records, but I'm pretty sure that the fiddle parts are there.

Thanks again to everyone who took time to reply. Lots of suggestions to sample. Getting new ideas about music to check out is the best thing about A'gon.

Orpheus - very much enjoyed the Ponty clip on You Tube. I have an LP by him but that video is a little more organic or souful or jazzful or something than what I'd associateed him with previously.

Billy Bang is a new name to me (as are a few others)...more things to check out.

Personal preference leans towards the blues side of the equation. Hope others will check out Charlie Burnham and James Blood Ulmer (e.g., Red House).

Mark O'Connor spans the musical universe from classical to country. Classically trained, IIRC and IMO, the most talented of the popular (read non-classical) violin player out there. More in the country fiddle genre, but very talented, is Alison Krauss' instrumental work.

In a thread about violinists I feel compelled to emphasize Jean-Luc Ponty, a master musician. (Grapelli is considered to be, but I haven't really heard that much, and did not care for what I heard) I love JLP's music and artistry. I've attended his concerts from LA to Detroit and seem him at least 8 times over the decades. JLP is a master violinist, writer, producer, and arranger; a genius, in my opinion.