Jim Hall

A harmonically advanced guitarist, Jim Hall has been an inspiration to many guitarists, including Bill Frisell. Jim Hall attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and studied classical guitar in Los Angeles with Vincente Gomez. He was an original member of the Chico Hamilton Quintet (1955-1956), and during 1956-1959 was with the Jimmy Giuffre Three.

Jim hall toured with Ella Fitzgerald (1960-1961) forming duos occasionally with Lee Konitz, Hall played with Sonny Rollins' dynamic quartet in 1961-1962, recording The Bridge. He joined forces with Art Farmer (1962-1964), recorded on an occasional basis with Paul Desmond during 1959-1965, and then became a New York studio musician.

Hall has mostly been a leader and, in addition to his own projects for various jazz record labels, he recorded two classic duet albums with Bill Evans. A self-titled collaboration with Pat Metheny followed in 1999. A flurry of studio albums, reissues, and compilations followed throughout the next few years, with the exceptional Jim Hall & Basses standing out for its bass/guitar duet format.

Recommended Listening

Jim Hall : Live

Downbeat Critics Choice This is Jim Hall's forte. A trio with bass and drums allows him to really shine. A word of warning however, this is hard-core jazz, not likely to receive airplay on the local smooth jazz station. Dark and woody sounding, this CD is perfect if you like Jim Hall and want to hear him in a most uninhibited setting.. Order here from Amazon.com

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