Jazz guitarist master Jim Hall dies at 83

JIM Hall, one of the leading jazz guitarists of the modern era whose subtle technique, lyrical sound and introspective approach strongly influenced younger proteges such as Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell, has died at the age of 83.

Hall died in his sleep early on Tuesday 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, who led his own trio since the mid-1960s, remained active until shortly before his death.

Last month, his trio performed a concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Allen Room with guest guitarists John Abercrombie and Peter Bernstein.
He had been planning a duo tour in Japan in January with bassist Ron Carter, a longtime partner.

In 2004, Hall became the first of the modern jazz guitarists to be named a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master, the nation's highest jazz honour.

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