Jazz Musician. Born in Buffalo, New York to a musical family, he began playing guitar at the age of ten. After engaging in a formal music education in 1955, he became involved in the "cool jazz" scene in Los Angeles, where his distinctive style drew considerable attention while playing in Chico Hamilton's quintet. The 1960's and 1970's were banner decades for him. During these years, he was part of many substantial pairings, which resulted in what many jazz critics believe to be groundbreaking and influential recordings. Among them were collaborations with Paul Desmond, Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, Ron Carter, and others. Hall also made many critically lauded records as a band leader during these years. Later in the 1990s-2010s, He remained a remarkably active musician, touring the world and continuing to record albums while making his presence felt throughout the jazz community with his "Dialogues" and "Duologues" albums, which paired him with other notable jazz artists in a musical discourse. The distinct phrasing and harmonic color of his technique left an influence on the jazz guitar community that is far-ranging; a strong and living legacy evident in the styles of Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Mick Goodrick, John Abercrombie and John Scofield. "I want a picture in my mind of the way a solo looks as I'm playing it. That way I can keep it from becoming boring – to me or the listeners – and avoid cliches," he said of his approach to improvisation on guitar. He was also an active composer and arranger. He was commissioned to write a concerto for guitar and orchestra, which had its debut in 2004 with the Baltimore Symphony. He died in his sleep at his Manhattan apartment. He was 83.