James Hall is a versatile trombonist/composer re-imagining
professional musicianship for the millennial generation.
Hall’s sophomore release, Lattice (Outside In 2018),
described as “a masterpiece of chamber music” (JazzLife Magazine), is built
around the harmonious combination of Hall’s dexterous trombone and the
virtuosic flute playing of Jamie Baum, a pliable and expressive study in
contrasts. Kirk Silsbee praised the work’s “graceful instrumental combinations
and linear development” (Downbeat Magazine), and Bob Morello called the work “a
tasty treat” and “a potpourri of great tunes” (Boston Post-Gazette).
Previously, Hall blurred the line between classical chamber
music and free jazz with Soon We Will Not Be Here (2015), creating original
settings of poetry by contemporary New York City-based poets Tina Chang, Paolo
Javier, Malena Mörling, and Emily Ruth Hazel for quartet. Premiering at Fridman
Gallery in downtown Manhattan, this project found an enthusiastic underground
listenership in France, the UK, Belgium, and the US on Taran’s Free Jazz Hour.
When not leading his own projects, Hall is often to be found
touring and recording internationally with viral sensation Postmodern Jukebox,
with whom he has recorded videos tallying over 80 million YouTube views; or
with Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra, whose salsa dura interpretations of indie
rock have been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine’s Latin Hot List. Speaking on
his aesthetic choices, Hall says “I really believe in the non-musical aspects
of music, so I believe in a fun concert experience. I believe in humor. I
believe in accessibility even when the music itself is not accessible.”
As a composer and bandleader, James was named a finalist in
the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Competition, won three ASCAPlus Awards
for composition, and was a featured performer/composer at the Chelsea Music
Festival. James' trombone playing earned third place, runner-up, and honorable
mention in the Antti Rissanen, J.J. Johnson, and Carl Fontana International
Jazz Trombone Competitions, respectively.
James holds degrees from the Lawrence Conservatory of Music
in Wisconsin and Aaron Copland School of Music in New York. His teachers have
included Luis Bonilla, Hal Crook, Michael Dease, Nick Keelan, Ed Neumeister,
and Fred Sturm.
