Podcast 397: Remembering Jim Hall (1930-2013)

Jim Hall, one of the leading jazz guitarists of the modern era, whose subtle technique, lyrical sound and introspective approach strongly influenced younger protégés such as Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, and Julian Lage, died early yesterday at age 83, his wife said. Hall died in his sleep after a short illness at his Greenwich Village apartment in Manhattan, said Jane Hall, his wife of 48 years who described her husband as "truly beloved by everybody who ever met him." Hall was a master guitar who rose to fame by knowing when not to play as often as when to take a solo. His method of playing helped reshape the sound of jazz in the 1950’s, as he played key roles in pianist Jimmy Giuffre's innovative trio and then drummer Chico Hamilton's chamber jazz quartet. His ability to support talented soloists made him a fixture not just on West Coast “Cool” recordings by Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan, but also on those of cutting edge talent from Sonny Rollins to Ornette Coleman. Podcast 397 is my tribute to Jim Hall, with an hour plus of selections from some of my favorite albums from his lengthy career: Jim Hall – “Circus Dance” from Textures Jim Hall & the David Matthews Orchestra – Title track from Concierto De Aranjuez Jim Hall & Bill Evans – “Romain (alternate take)” from Undercurrents Jim Hall – “Little Blues” from Panorama – Live at the Village Vanguard Jim Hall and Pat Metheny – “The Birds and the Bees” from Jim Hall and Pat Metheny Jim Hall & Bill Frisell – “Owed to Freddie Green” from Hemispheres Jim Hall Quartet – “All the Things You Are” from Live at Birdland Jim Hall Three – Title Track from Three Jim Hall & Bob Brookmeyer – “St. Thomas” from Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival 1979.