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 addition to teaching all of the jazz guitar students, coaching guitar ensembles and jazz combos at PSU, Jerry continues to perform, record, tour, and conduct clinics at Universities and schools. After a successful week-long engagement at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City (July 13-19) with the original John Handy Quintet, Jerry has returned to home town Wichita, KS to be with family and work on new publications and recordings.
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.
Go to www.jerryhahn.com to purchase cds directly from Jerry.**********JERRY RECENTLY RECORDED WITH GRANT GEISSMAN ON GRANT'S NEW CD "COOL MAN COOL", GRANT WROTE -"ONE FOR JERRY" http://www.grantgeissman.com/
Hi Jerry, Thanks so very much for adding me to your circle of friends! I love your music!! You are one truely amazing player!!I'll actually be in Kansas in a few weeks. I'm playing a house concert in Arkansas City, the fingerstyle contest in Winfield and Aquarius Books in Kansas City, but unfortunately, nothing in Witchita. I would love so much to see you play live!! Mabey next time,
I caught you on the local radio station (KS) when you were recently in town. It introduced me to your music, and I enjoyed listening! Let's meet sometime soon -- I relocated from Los Angeles, and I'm on the faculty at Beneditine College (KS). Best, Chris Greco
Hi Jerry... welcome to kc... I recommend everyone check out your gigs. Keep us posted on your appearances!!! What a treat it will be to hear you regularly.
Jerry is Blessed with beautiful and fantastic gifts! He is one of my most influential Mentors and a wonderful pleasure to have known all these years. Thank you again Jerry for all of the contributions to Wichita, Ks and those that we love. Jesus loves us!
Craig Twister Steward - former harmonica artist with Frank Zappa
Jerry, great to see you here. I was just listening to your recordings with John Handy, and bragging on you, the other day. You are such a badass! Let me know how things are going for you these days, when you get a chance. I'm so happy to keep in touch. Your pal, Libby
It's good to see you on MySpace... I was listening to "Dippin' Snuff" the other day, the "original version", not the Brotherhood version -- and was laughing out loud. What a great tune, with great humor and and great playing!!!
HELLO! I'M VERY GLAD 'BOUT YOUR FRIEND REQUEST AND THANK YOU. YOU'RE IN THE GROUP OF MUSICIANS WHO MOVING IN THE PRECISE STYLE SHOWS A BIT OF CRAZYNESS :-) I DON'T WANT TO BE RUDE BUT I HOPE YOU KNOW WHAT MILES DAVIS WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT KIND OF PEOPLE AND IT WAS THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT! IT WOULD BE GOOD TO MEET ON CONCERT OR FESTIVAL SOMEWHERE. BEST REGARDS ROHO
Thanks for adding me as your MySpace friend, Jerry. I've enjoyed your playing for many years. John Handy's version of Naima is one of my all-time favorites. What a privilege it is for you to have played with him. Keep up the good work!! We'll all be listening.
