Jim Hall R.I.P.

[Mark Stryker]

NPR's A Blog Supreme‏ is reporting via Twitter that Jim Hall has died, according to his daughter Devra Hall Levy, who sent a notice to a jazz scholars list. I don't have independent confirmation but the source seems credible enough to post.

[Larry Kart]

Damn. He gave us a great deal. And such a unique player, too.

[7/4]

NPR:

"The creative jazz guitarist Jim Hall died on Dec. 10, 2013. We remember Hall with a five-song introduction to his music by guitarist Rez Abbasi, originally published Dec. 1, 2009."

Jim Hall: Guitar As Miniature Orchestra

[A Lark Ascending]

RIP. One of my favourite guitarists who I was lucky enough to see a couple of times.

[BillF]

RIP. One of my favourite guitarists who I was lucky enough to see a couple of times.

Lucky indeed, Bev. Was that in the UK?

[A Lark Ascending]

Yes. I saw him at Cheltenham and at Brecon (late 90s early 00s).

Edited December 10, 2013 by A Lark Ascending

[Mike Schwartz]

NPR's A Blog Supreme‏ is reporting via Twitter that Jim Hall has died, according to his daughter Devra Hall Levy, who sent a notice to a jazz scholars list. I don't have independent confirmation but the source seems credible enough to post.

Confirmations coming in from various sources.....RIP to this great musician and wonderful gentleman

[king ubu]

Very, very sad news.

A favourite ... if he'd died fifty years ago he'd already have been a giant. Amazing what albums he helped create in the fifties only ... and there was lots to follow after! Thank you for all the fine music.

[fasstrack]

Wow. Speechless.

[7/4]

Ted Panken on Jim Hall.: R.I.P. Jim Hall (Dec. 4, 1930-Dec. 10, 2013)

[colinmce]

Ugh, very sad. What a tremendous career all the way to the end.

[Justin V]

I am very sad to hear this. I can't say enough about Hall's playing. From his work as a sideman on classics like The Bridge and Grand Encounter to his own classic albums like Concierto and Magic Meeting, he was such a tasteful, consistent and influential guitarist. Unfortunately, I never got to see him in person. Thank you for the music, Mr. Hall.

Edited December 10, 2013 by Justin V

[jazztrain]

I now cherish even more the times I got to see him.

Very sad. Was hoping the news was not true.

[jlhoots]

I saw him a few times in person as well.

The last few years he looked frail but played well.

Glad I picked up that Artist Share set.

R.I.P.

[sidewinder]

Damn - what an appalling few weeks for jazz fatalities. So sorry to hear this - he was one of those guys it was a real pleasure to see live as he seemed to really thrive on small-venue audience interaction/enthusiasm.

I think I caught that Cheltenham performance, Bev. Also caught him at Bath back in the 1990s with Scott Colley (the Georgian Pump Room I think - an appropriate venue for this most civil and elegant of jazz artists). I can remember him saying at that gig that he reckoned he was cut out to be 'a good old guy'. Couldn't agree more. RIP Mr Hall.

Edited December 10, 2013 by sidewinder

[B. Goren.]

This is a very sad news.
12 yars ago I had the honor and the pleasure to see him live at the VV.

RIP Mr. Hall.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Many years ago, my buddy Rob talked me into to going and seeing Jim Hall during one of his annual treks to Boston. Previously to this, I was rather ambivalent about his playing. After that show, I never missed him again. He was a great performer and I'll miss him. He just came through town a month or so ago and looked very frail. It was still a great show. RIP Mr. Hall and thank you for all the smiles you gave me.

[mjzee]

Very sad news. I was fortunate enough to have seen him twice. His playing was a true pinnacle of taste, lyricism, and incisiveness. RIP and thanks for all the great music.

[CJ Shearn]

damn RIP. Should spin Concierto later

[A Lark Ascending]

My first Jim Hall record and still a favourite:

Heard 'Lament for a Fallen Matador' (actually 'that' Albinoni piece) on the radio and was haunted. After hearing much more Hall I now think it's really a re-run of Concierto though still lovely - Art Farmer is beautiful.

I actually prefer Hall's take on the Rodrigo to the Miles/Evans' - just feel it does something very different to the original.

[TedR]

When I saw the subject line, I thought there would be posts on a favorite recording or concert appearance. Unfortunately not. Damn.

Edited to say, at the time I posted this, the subject headline was simply "Jim Hall".

Edited December 10, 2013 by TedR

[J.A.W.]

Very sorry to hear this. A great musician.

[BillF]

He played so well in so many contrasting contexts - with Hampton Hawes, Chico Hamilton, Art Farmer, Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Bill Evans, Paul Desmond - just to mention the 1955-62 period.

Edited December 10, 2013 by BillF

[J.A.W.]

He played so well in so many contrasting contexts - with Hampton Hawes, Chico Hamilton, Art Farmer, Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Bill Evans - just to mention the 1955-62 period.

And the great 1959, 1961 and 1963-1965 recordings with Paul Desmond on Warner Bros. and RCA, and his Pacific Jazz dates, Jazz Guitar and Good Friday Blues - The Modest Jazz Trio.

Edited December 10, 2013 by J.A.W.

[Hot Ptah]

This is a major loss.