Jim Hall

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Jim Hall was one of the most respected, admired and influential guitarists in jazz history. He has also earned critical acclaim for his skills as a composer and arranger.
James Stanley Hall was born December 4, 1930 in Buffalo, N.Y. He came from a musical family and began to play guitar at age 10. After studying music theory at the Cleveland Institute of Music, he joined Hamilton's quintet in 1955. In the late '50s and '60s he appeared on albums with Sonny Rollins, Bill Evans and on recordings by Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Brookmeyer, Art Farmer, James Moody, Paul Desmond, Lee Konitz, Ben Webster, Gary Burton and others.
After moving to New York in the early '60s, Hall was a member of trio with pianist Tommy Flanagan and bassist Ron Carter. In the '70s, Hall recorded with classical musicians, pianist George Shearing and violinist Itzhak Perlman, and with jazz greats Ornette Coleman and Art Farmer. One of Hall's most important albums "Concierto" (1975) featured Chet Baker (trumpet), Paul Desmond (alto saxophone), Sir Roland Hanna (piano), Ron Carter (bass) and Steve Gadd (drums).
In the'80s he played in a trio with Michel Petrucciani and Wayne Shorter. Duet albums with Pat Metheny, Ron Carter are among most important in his career. Jim Hall & Basses 2001 album features Jim's duet works with bass players, Dave Holland, Christian McBride, Charlie Haden, George Mraz and Scott Colley.
In 1997 Jim Hall won the New York Jazz Critics Circle Award for Best Jazz Composer/Arranger.


Jim Hall died in his sleep of heart failure on December 4, 2013 in his Greenwich Village apartment after a short illness only week after celebrating his 83rd birthday. R.I.P.

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