RIP Jazz Guitar Legend Jim Hall

Gear Diary is reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. You can learn more by clicking here.

Jim_Hall Newport 2013

My favorite Sonny Rollins album is ‘The Quartets Featuring Jim Hall’, bought on LP in the early 1980s without hearing it – based on recommendations of friends and reputation of guitarist Jim Hall. It remains one of my favorite albums and is one I am listening to today as we mourn the loss of the jazz guitarist at age 83.

From the New York Times:

Jim Hall, a jazz guitarist who for more than 50 years was admired by critics, aficionados and especially his fellow musicians for his impeccable technique and the warmth and subtlety of his playing, died on Tuesday at his home in Greenwich Village. He was 83.

The cause was heart failure, his wife, Jane, said.

Pat Metheny called the ‘Father of Modern Jazz Guitar’, so the best way to memorialize him is to share some of his classic music, from playing with Sonny Rollins in the very early 1960s up through a master class in 2010.

Here is a live TV recording of the quartet playing the classic song ‘The Bridge’:

And a funny video of him ‘auditioning’ for Merv Griffin in 1965:

From the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival in 2010, playing ‘All the Things You Are’:

Jim Hall: A Life In Progress, a documentary from 1999:

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!

About the Author

Michael Anderson
I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!