by Ken Dryden
Jim Hall was the winner of the 1998 Jazzpar Prize, given annually by the Danish Jazz Center; the resulting concerts which followed are a valuable addition to Hall's considerable discography. The veteran guitarist is joined by tenor saxophonist Chris Potter, bassist Thomas Ovesen and drummer Terry Clarke for a rousing &Stella By Starlight& and a very soft, captivating interpretation of &Chelsea Bridge.& The Zaploski String Quartet takes the place of Hall's group on several tracks, joining him for his intriguing &Thesis,& written in 1953 while he was a student at the Cleveland Institute of Music; this version is more stripped down than his 1990 Town Hall performance but every bit as compelling. Hall & Co. join the string quartet for a run through Jimi Hendrix's &Purple Haze,& proving he's as open minded as ever to trying new things. Hall's sensitive duet with Potter on the closer, &In A Sentimental Mood,& brings things full circle on this very successful CD.