Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"In reality, Texas has produced many fine jazz artists, with North Texas State University -- where
Hall studied -- laying claim to one of the top jazz programs in the nation. Jihi can be taken as a
good indication that Doug Hall may well be that state's next, if by no means its lone, star in the
jazz world." Drew Wheeler CDNOW Senior Editor, Jazz
- Drew Wheeler
"These guys swing like hell. Musical ability is high on the list here. When our kids were nine we were still sucking their bits of Lego into our vacuum cleaner, while Hall was debuting with the Dallas Symphony at that age. Kolker's solos are considered, perfectly logical, and beautifully swinging extensions of a melody line. When Hall takes over, his <br>runs are fluent and executed with a glorious touch and subsequent tone. I occasionally hear an extremely updated (dare we say it?), improved, although pianistically muted, postbop version, of some of the Red Garland sessions with Coltrane - with Kolker offering a less muscular take on Trane. It is very good Jazz indeed!"
Lawrence Brazier, Jazz Now Magazine - Lawrence Brazier
"Hall shines as a pianist/composer who has quite a bit to say. Hall makes every note count and seems intent
on illuminating the compositional frameworks and melodic underpinnings! Simply stated, Hall offers the best of both
worlds thanks to his shrewd compositional pen and penchant for injecting off-kilter yet largely memorable hooks into his works. Fervently recommended." - Glenn Astarita Allaboutjazz.com
- Glenn Astarita
The album("Jihi') is characterized not only by the inventiveness of the musicalscheme, but by the interplay between the members of the quartet, which at times becomes so intense that it feels eerie. This is heady stuff and is recommended. - Dave Nathan, All Music Guide - Dave Nathan
"His brilliantly impressionistic, intensely probing, and sometimes even witty pianism is at <br>the heart of this terrific session of all originals. Jihi serves up an <br>elegant, carefully crafted musical feast for the mind and senses. Hall is a delight to listen to." - Jay Trachtenberg
“Musicianship that is unerringly thoughtful... a set of engaging interplay intriguing adventurousness." – JazzTimes Magazine - Doug Ramsey
“pianistic brilliance... superlative and exquisitely tasteful throughout.” Michael Point, Austin American-Statesman - Michael Point
On his second outing as leader, Austin-based pianist Doug Hall is surrounded by a group of like-minded musicians for a set of his originals based on the Japanese concepts ji ("compassion") and hi ("to give happiness and remove
suffering".) Conceptual? Yes. Gimmicky and self-indulgent? No.
Adam Kolker's tenor, especially on the modal, "After The Fact," is reminiscent of mid-to-late '60's Coltrane, only gentler. This understated but crisp style is articulated in the playing of Doug Hall and drummer Bruce Hall throughout and by bass clarinet on "Dark Stream," where Kolker produces sounds that are slightly dissonant but not brash. On the title track, John Herbert's bass intro produces tones that evoke the doshpuluur (a two-stringed lute used in traditional Tuvan music from Mongolia).
Bruce Hall's breezy drum solo on "Once Around The Block," a brighter up-tempo bop, is unassuming in the same way. The song underscores the group's consistency. Staying true to a sonic approach that flows lyrically like a collective subconscious, the players sound just similar enough, without sounding identical. Perhaps in another edit, the album would end with this track - leaving the listener at song's end, with the sensation of slowly awakening from a pleasant dream. , Matt Elweig, Jazziz, - Matt Elweig
"Former child prodigy Doug Hall has been called Austin's most diverse keyboard virtuoso. His Tyner/ Evans tinged jazz quartet isn't usually what you associate with the Texas capital, but maybe you should....the lushness of Evans, Jarrett and Jamal." - Keith Zimmerman
"Austin-based pianist Doug Hall's "Jihi"simultaneously soothes the soul and excites the mind. The eight original compositions on "Jihi" follow fairly complex harmonic schemes. This is advanced material, modern right down to the dregs but never bitter in its loftiness. Showing utter restraint in execution, the quartet lifts the listener into this higher realm, which proves to be quite a joyful place. Hall solos with extreme chops on the uptempo numbers. He explores the harmony exhaustively and extrapolates the changes whenever it suits him. His use of dynamics is effectively subtle; he doesn't need to pound the keys to catch your ear. Hall-sympathizer Adam Kolker obviously shares his bandleader's vision on "Jihi," named after a Japanese word for compassion. Kolker plays tenor sax, soprano sax and bass clarinet with strength and control; he provides the perfect voice for Hall's postmodern melodies and solos with refreshing fluidness."**** - Ed Enright
Discography
Doug Hall- Three Wishes w/ Marc Johnson
Doug Hall-Jihi
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Born into a musical family in Dallas, Texas, Doug Hall began studying piano at age six and made his orchestral debut with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at age nine. At the age of twelve, he became interested in jazz, and for the next several years competed in classical piano competitions and performed with orchestras, including another performance with the Dallas Symphony at age fifteen, and at the same time writing compositions for his high-school jazz ensemble where he was selected as "outstanding musician" at each festival
competition.
After graduating a year early, he was awarded a Memorial Composition Scholarship from North Texas State University and entered college at sixteen.
While citing Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, and McCoy Tyner as early influences, Doug has found his own sound and style. He has performed with such luminaries as Dave Liebman, James Moody, Chet Baker, Joe Farrell, Victor Wooten, Lee Konitz, and Bill Watrous, and played on Music of Sting (Bob Belden Ensemble, Blue Note Records). His 1997 debut CD, Three Wishes, which features Marc Johnson on bass and Bruce Hall on drums, received positive recognition and accreditation from critics and reviewers
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