Jerry Hahn Bio
Jerry Hahn has long been recognized as one of jazz’s
most influential guitarists. He became a major name in the 1960s and
1970s for his de facto contribution to the emerging fusion movement,
and has remained one of its ardent promoters throughout his career.
Born in Nebraska September 21, 1940, he was raised in Kansas. He began
playing the guitar at age 7. At age 11 he began playing professionally
with the Bobby Wiley Rhythmaires, appearing daily on Wichita’s
first television station KEDD. At 21 he moved to San Francisco, where
he joined the John Handy Quintet in 1964, recording two albums for Columbia
Records including the critically acclaimed “Live at Monterey”.
In 1967 he recorded his first album The Jerry Hahn Quintet for Arhoolie
Records with Jack DeJohnette on drums. In 1968, he joined the Gary Burton
Quartet with Roy Haynes and Steve Swallow, recording three albums and
toured the United States, Europe, Canada, and Japan. Then, in 1970,
he formed the Jerry Hahn Brotherhood, performing, touring, and recording
for Columbia Records. In his book “The Jazz Book”, German
born jazz authority Joachim Berendt noted the Jerry Hahn Brotherhood
as being one of the “trailblazers of rock-jazz integration”.
Jerry also began to write a monthly column for Guitar Player magazine
entitled “Jerry Hahn’s Guitar Seminar” which continued
for five years, and started work on his formidable book and CD Complete
Jerry Hahn Method For Jazz Guitar for Mel Bay Publications.
In 1972, Hahn went back to Wichita, Kansas, where he became a full-time
member of the Wichita State University faculty and established the degree
program in jazz guitar. Hahn received a Doctor of Music degree from
Berean Christian College in Long Beach, CA in 1983. After fifteen years
at WSU, he relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he joined the Bennie
Wallace Quartet, recording and touring the United States, Europe, and
Japan. The movie sound track for White Men Can’t Jump features
Jerry’s guitar playing.
In 1992 he moved to Denver, Colorado where he taught at the Colorado
Institute of Art and performed, toured, and recorded with Ginger Baker
(drummer with “Cream”). In 1995, Hahn joined the faculty of
Portland State University and developed the curriculum for the Jazz
Guitar program. In 2004, Jerry returned to hometown Wichita, Kansas,
where he continues to perform, record, tour, and conduct clinics at
Universities and schools.
Jerry Hahn, the innovative and dedicated musician, is one of the favorites
of a younger generation of guitarists, including Bill Frisell, Larry
Coryell, John Abercrombie, Pat Metheny, and Grant Geissman, all of whom
have acknowledged Hahn’s influence.
• Quotes
About Jerry
• Highlights
and Jazz Festivals
Endorsements
D'Angelico
Guitars
Thomastik-Infield
Strings
Acoustic
Image amps |
