Jim Hall: A Life In Progress

A Video Documentary -- Historic video clips plus footage shot live in the recording studio with Joe Lovano, Greg Osby, Tom Harrell, and Pat Metheny. Interviews include Chico Hamilton, Nat Hentoff, John Lewis, and John Snyder.
Producer/Director Bruce Ricker; Writer/Interviewer Devra Hall; Editor David W. Mester. Originally released by Rhapsody Films, 1999.

[@djangowoof]

i watch this often - it keeps Jim alive in a special way for me. Jane

[@ralphsilat]

Are you Jane Hall? I obviously never met Jim but I have all of his recordings. And I read his 'Exploring Jazz Guitar' book. Says a lot if you sorta read between the lines. He was an incredible human being! I miss him...

[@djangowoof]

yep. thanks - me too.

[@intuneorange]

djangowoof yes I do the same

[@matshansson8996]

Heart

[@laminebaazi4376]

being a sagittarius i remember the first time i heard his music i was instantly drawn. it was so lucid. i was 15. it absolutely changed my way of doing anything. you can have a strong sense of meaning even in poise. long live art, and blessings to thee

[@Kinsale1333]

As Sonny Rollins said when Jim Hall died, "I don't know anyone who didn't love him." He was a unique talent and a great teacher. RIP, Master.

[@djangowoof]

Yes, it would take us about 30 minutes to walk down our block because he knew everyone and everyone had to say hi.

[@chipstern]

Jim Hall dedicated his life to articulating the silences. Now that he and the silence are one and the same, every note left behind takes on a greater spiritual resonance. Thank you for all the inspiration.

[@tylerhendrickson8321]

Well said

[@Phase2Music]

Outstanding musician and human being. His playing reflects an interest in interaction rather than flashy domination

[@gopeace4797]

When I first got into jazz I listened to Jim Hall a lot. I didn't know the standards yet. I couldn't when he was playing the head and soloing. That is the greatest lesson I learned from Jim Hall. Improvisation is writing a melody, not showing off speed.

[@ronaldpuddu5325]

Jim was and is a national treasure, all praise to all involved in making this great document.

[@shorewood6]

What a pleasant way to spend 59 minutes. My dad had an original Pacific Jazz LP of Chico Hamilton Spectacular! he purchased in the late 50s. Still love it. His playing with Sonny Rollins was terrific, but then everything he did was good. Jim Hall is someone many more people should know about. May sound pessimistic, but I fear that the supply of people and artists like him are rapidly diminishing. 83 years ain't bad, but it's bittersweet when people like Jim Hall pass away, at any age.

[@arsofe]

What a great documentary of a great musician.

[@apro109]

Thank you for posting this great piece on my very favorite jazz guitarist. What a treat.

[@92ninersboy]

Jim Hall is the epitome of musicality. Turns out that sometimes that also goes along with being a great human being.

[@djangowoof]

thank you - I'm so glad you listened just two months ago which means his music is and will always be alive.

[@wirmeth]

Rest In Peace, James Stanley Hall, 4 December 1930 ~ 10 December 2013.

[@thebreathalyzer]

Wonderful man, beautiful musician. Such a nice gentleman too. Maybe the warmth and compassion of his musical expression was just an extension of his personality. Such an empathetic accompanist and tasteful player.

[@zackwhite1]

My goodness, this was a pleasure to watch! Mr. Hall, has become something important to me and this really connected. The creation of music is such a fascinating thing to behold.

[@JorisFun]

What a giant... and a wonderful person (thnx for posting this vid)

[@J.Dove3D]

God bless Mr. Hall's soul, and that wonderful tone he coaxed out of his D'Aquisto Avant-Garde acoustic. Lush,beautiful tones. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimbo9800]

A Legend of a musician and human being - one of his avid followers -Thanks

[@mikefuery7714]

Thank you for posting this Devra. Jim's music accompanied and inspired me for over thirty years. It still does and I dearly miss his gentle artistic presence. Forever my Maestro.

[@leslielu2996]

Most guitarist extend their art with speed and density, Jim Hall's velocity lies in the absence between notes, this takes courage - courage to achieve beauty with emptiness and a measured, well considered pace. This pace created deep abstraction and true freedom without "scrambling the egg."

[@jazzman1954]

This is such an important documentary. Thanks. Heard him play several times in England and he inspired me. I believe he was one of the very few guitarists who was accepted on an equal par by the non guitar players in jazz.

[@woodylanday3444]

RIP Jim. Your gorgeous music will be with us forever. You and Paul and a whole lot of other jazz greats are jamming away in the great beyond!

[@phyrac1]

Thanks so much for posting this! Every bit of Influence and information from Jim Hall makes this world a better place!! Not only a stellar musician, also an example of the virtues we all admire, like honesty, hard work, humility, and peace with himself. He will live in the human soul forever.

[@karlmelanson1424]

My All-Time Favorite Jazz Guitarist Since I First Heard Him In 1955 In His Debut Recording With The Chico Hamilton Quintet And Ever Since In His Many Collaborations With So Many Other Great Musicians Over The Years. The Jim Hall "Ballad Essentials" Compilation on Concord Records Is A Nice Sampling!

[@davidgluck8064]

RIP Jim Hall. My hero.

[@jazzman1954]

No one ever made a better sound on jazz guitar. No one!

[@62MaybeOS]

Thank you so much for this post. I listen to Jim every chance I get. I had no idea he had passed. He was the total package. I think my first jazz album was Jim's "Commitment," which I learned about in a Downbeat magazine critic's review. I think they gave it 5 stars. I still have it. RIP MR. Guitar God.

[@steveberry6971]

Thanks to Devra for posting this gem. I've loved Jim Hall's music since the 80s.

[@derechoamigo]

RIP Mr Hall, I was first introduced to Jim Hall’s music on Jim Hall and Pat Metheny (big fan) 1999 collaboration, listening his music reminds of growing up as kids in 60s, simpler times. One of the Greats.

[@Shoujoboy51]

Such an awesome guitarist. Rest In Peace to Jim hall.

[@mataeusv.7955]

Thank you.

[@peggiesings1]

In Loving Memory! RIP Jim

[@SoCalGarage]

Wow! Great video of music history and excellence. Thanks Peggie for sharing.

[@peggiesings1]

You are welcome Chris :-)

[@NeilRaouf]

jim hall is such an inspiring person!

[@boudioulechat]

RIP Jim :( you will be always in my heart

[@greganderson7534]

Lovely to see Jim and Chico reunited. The music of the early CH Quintet was sublime.

[@ajcokedcloud]

thanks for such great music R.I.P Jim Hall~~~~

[@barbel735]

wundervoll. danke.

[@FredsBands]

Goodbye Jim Hall. We'll remember you.

[@JamesFeighnyIV]

Wonderful film! I remember seeing this when it came out. Thank you so much for posting.

[@92ninersboy]

For me Jim Hall did for jazz guitar kind of what Bill Evans did for jazz piano. They share a lot of the same qualities.

[@yeicotgonzalez8439]

Algún alma bondadosa que subtitule esto!!

[@MrAnderswt]

Very enjoyable, thanks.

[@rogeriomenezes6197]

Jim Hall um personagem universal do Reino musical...

[@satoriaparigi]

Il più influente dei chitarristi jazz mai esistiti

[@easguitar]

On this momentous occasion of the passing of Mr. Jim Hall, I am left with the following impression: Instead of blowing the listener away with gratuitous technical gimmickery and shopworn cliches, Mr. Hall seemingly invited the listener into his room saying, "Come! Let us discover together the possibilities of melody and harmony in the present moment!" A gigantic musical mind and soul......Eric S. RIP Mr. Hall

[@simmjz5738]

one of the players i first heard and hid in my room trying to figure out what the hell he was doing! so was the case of metheny, trane , monk, and miles and all the rest of great musicians. much thanks to all of you- where music is the only focus.

[@adamkelly5478]

I feel like flugel was the perfect brass to go with Jim

[@standingbeark]

one of my many guitar idols, my GOD rest his kind soul...

[@tassuad]

GRAND SOUVENIR Jim Hall à Marciac en 2009

[@TheJofrica]

Great video, thanks for the upload!

[@eloyhbermudez]

43:33 "when you have jim hall you really don't need a piano" - Art Farmer

[@jlucguitar]

un monument !!!!!

[@alansouzacruz970]

Rest in peace Jim 🌷

[@stevearle]

LESS IS SO MUCH MORE IN THIS MAN'S HANDS!

[@123must]

Great musician !

[@surfgod509]

Brilliant on Jazz...

[@RonCarterBassist]

🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@djangowoof]

Ron and Jim have several cds - they had a wonderful duo.

[@MiguelSimoesMusic]

Amazing!

[@egidiodelorenzo]

Grazie

[@rossellacoci]

Interessante!!!

[@yyf3212]

Could you please enable the auto-generated captions? They'll be really helpful for non-English speaking audiences.

[@SunshineInWoods]

Wow, he was just 26 when he played with Chico... but he was looking ten years older.

[@auroradarienzo]

[@stigmatone]

fly in peace

[@Gearda002]

Please someone take the subtitle in this video:(

[@SanMaiero]

Django homage always good for a guitar player :) Every guitar player

[@jamesneill1675]

I love Jim Hall's music, but why do you, devraweb, have a photo of Freddie Green on thei YT listing? How about, maybe, a photo of Jim Hall?

[@juancpgo]

Jim Hall thinks sorta like a painter when improvising. Bill Evans does that too. And Miles of course.

[@murattaner7384]

Its better to visit a painting exhibition than it is to sit in your room practicing be- bop licks.' Jim Hall in an interview many many years ago. Sweetly remembered (and followed) :)))

[@colinzeta1985]

i wonder if the rock player was kirk hammet of metallica I know he is a huge thelonious monk fan

[@Alanoffer]

That's my new name for a synthesiser ,,,,,,a doo dad

[@Richard_K1630]

cool.

[@Hatmatrix]

At 6:18 there's a Brazilian flag behind him. Does anyone know why? Where is that?

[@murattaner7384]

Anything on Jim that does not mention a word about Ornette s influence on him is incomplete, even misleading. Agree? :))

[@SuperMegaKisan]

Song at 41:09 ?

[@jiyujizai]

😀💙💮🌱

[@MikeL-7]

Looks like Henry Kissinger on cello at 14:15 . Great documentary on the wonderful Mr Hall. Pat Metheney's hair is dreadful throughout.

[@carmemmaia4909]

too sad.

[@fuelarjun]

Does anyone know who's playing which song from 34:45 onwards..?

[@djangowoof]

it's Jim playing Ode to Freddy Green

[@fuelarjun]

Thank you!

[@machinegunlicks]

@@djangowoof where can I find that song?

[@djangowoof]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKmog6B3idqlbc0

[@handicappedhoods]

A life in progress? Not anymore!

[@BuddyBoo123]

That's not a nice way to put it.

[@fredyoung3739]

A Great Loss to Music and Humanity.

[@adamkelly5478]

Fred Young in another way of looking at it: a great contribution to music and humanity.

[@hankwilliams5622]

I prefer European musicians. They are much more melodic.

[@neilfrazyer]

Thank you.