-
Life . . . it's just way too short . . . even 83 years of it. Jim Hall obviously gave more to the world than he took from it. Although I wasn't a big fan of his playing . . I was always a fan of the man. I admired the way he accepted the adoration he received from other players, especially the younger ones he mentored, with gracious and humble dignity. The world of jazz guitar . . . and the world in general needs more people like Jim Hall.
-
12-10-2013 05:41 PM
-
-
Such sad news. I was privileged to study with Jim for a week back in the late '80s, and he's been such a hero and mentor to me, both before and after. His passing affects me so deeply, and I am at a loss for words.
Rest in peace, Jim. And many, many thanks...
-
There's a complete recording of this year's Newport performance with Julian Lage available for listening here
http://www.wbgo.org/internal/mediapl...podcastID=3368
-
Thoroughly enjoyed his playing
-
So, yeah, there was this huge Tony award winning Broadway musical called "Camelot" c.a, 1960, starting Richard Burton and Julie Andrews. One of the popular numbers was "If Ever I Would Leave You" sung by an actor with a big booming baritone named Robert Goulet. Nice song, beautiful sustained and booming melody notes. 3 years later, Sonny Rollins and Jim Hall recorded a 12 minute version of this tune with a quartet in a bossa nova style. When I heard it many decades later, it changed everything I knew about the possibilities of music and the special almost magical powers of the improvising musician. Jim Hall was a soft spoken, diminutive fellow, almost a midget as he experienced back problems in his later years, from the rust belt backwaters of Buffalo and Cleveland. He wore glasses and was practically completely bald from an early age. But as a jazz guitarist, he's right up there with the all time greats. If you listen to Robert Goulet's Broadway version and compare it with Jim and Sonny's version, you can appreciate the transformative power of jazz music.
-
Rest in Peace, Jim
-
One could also say, "A brilliant musician who happened to play jazz"...
Originally Posted by jaco
-
I was very saddened to hear of his passing. He never seemed to "lose it" with age, always playing superb until the very end. Then suddenly he is gone...
-
sad day
-
This is a big one - the end of an era. A true artist and a wonderful human being. Words can't describe how much I admire and respect Jim Hall.
-
A truly giant, the father of the modern guitar, God bless him!
-
Originally Posted by Flyin' Brian
Yes he was...hope folks never forget that. Jim is the reason guitar has remained valid in jazz. We all owe him a big debt. Originally Posted by Arnesto
-
Rest in Peace. He brought joy and inspiration to many, and gave the gift that keeps on giving - great music.
-
Found out this morning from my friend Colin Stranahan. Really tough news. I was in shock for a few minutes and then spent the next hour trying to confirm it since no one else had any news about it. Sadly, I saw Steve LaSpina said something about it, so it must have been true.
Posted this on my Facebook wall:
The first time I saw Jim Hall live was about a year or two ago at the Blue Note with his regular trio (Colley, Baron) and Julian Lage. You could tell his playing was off due to his age, as is expected from anyone of his age. And I heard similar things from future gigs. The last time I saw him was at JALC, when he double billed with Chris Potter just a few weeks ago, which I believe was his last set of performances, when he played with his trio, and brought in Pete Bernstein and John Abercrombie. I wasn't expecting him to play as well as he did that night, and I was totally floored by the stuff he did (such as when he opened with a solo rendition of In A Sentimental Mood).
I guess I'll be playing lots of Jim Hall today.
So anyways, some of you might know I work at the Jazz Gallery in NYC. We had our annual Christmas party today, Scott Colley was actually supposed to show up and cancelled all his plans (his family is pretty tight with Jim's). I played Jim Hall's music all night, however. Felt it was an appropriate way to pay respect even though we didn't speak much about it.
-
You were such a genius, Jim.
RIP.
-
Sad news. RIP Jim.
-
I came across this. The video is really unfocused but the playing is great!
RIP Jim Hall
Jens
-
Jim Hall is so present in jazz that I can not say where is the first time I heard him.
As I can not say where is the first time I heard the word "jazz".
I wish the best for his family and his friends.
-
A true great, his innovative playing paved the way for the contemporary jazz guitarist. If you've not watched it yet, see his "A life in progress" dvd.
-
Huge loss indeed. I learned about Jim Hall mostly from my dad and a good friend, both of whom would likely name Jim as their favorite jazz guitarist. I still have my dad's old beat up copies of Sonny Rollins The Bridge and Jim Hall Live, as well as some other great records. I was also lucky enough to catch Jim w/ Julian Lage a couple years ago. His hands did seem a little affected by age at the time but his mind and ears were as sharp as ever. Warmth and humor just radiated from the guy. Julian Lage actually played more solos than Jim that night, but Jim's musical presence was as strong as always. My friend (the one mentioned above) said after the show something about how Jim could play a simple phrase which would then kind of ripple out through his band.
I think some of my favorite stuff is still from that amazing live duo record with Ron Carter. The way St. Thomas is developed on that is just great fun to listen to.
Matt
-
Jim Hall was my inspiration; I have been a huge fan for over 50 years, and have learned everything worthwhile in the jazz life from his example. From the early Giuffre trio "The Train and the River" to the sweet and melodious Art Farmer and Paul Desmond quartets, the groundbreaking Rollins era, the shocking perfection of the duo with Bill Evans, to his various trios and quartets, many of which I booked into Cambridge's Regattabar, always honored to lend him my Polytone and hang out with him while running him around to radio interviews, Jim never played a note he couldn't be proud of. I was fortunate to spend time with Wes, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell (thankfully still with us), Charlie Byrd, Jimmy Raney, Tal Farlow and Joe Puma,and the single point of agreement among all of them was Jim Hall's magic and his generosity, especially with younger players like Scott Colley, Julian Lage, Chris Potter, Joey Baron, etc., etc., etc.
Well, now I need the rest of the Toronto sessions for Christmas to mend my broken heart.
-
He was my real myth has gone, he that was everything but a myth, for modesty, quietness and his restrained style.
I love his dark sound, his chord melody, his phrases.
Few days after Madiba still some tears!
-
One of my favorite guitarists.
Beyond that, he reached out to me when I had a long hospital stay (eight months, chemo and a bone marrow transplant). He corresponded with me, sent me his book and most of his CDs. That affected me in a very positive way.
(He didn't use a computer, hand written letters and cards. One of the things we talked about and exchanged photos of was about our dogs. His dog was named Django.)Last edited by fep; 12-11-2013 at 10:44 AM.
-
I know this is perhaps too sentimental, but I'm playing solo this weekend, I wasn't sure which guitar to bring along.
But it has to be the Sadowsky Jim Hall. On top of the Fender Twin amp, I'm going to have a picture or collage of little pictures of Jim Hall.
One thing I loved about Jim is he never played too loudly, often turning the amp off or way down when he comped.
Nels Cline has a beautiful remembrance on his blog.
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos