About Ivan G Hall

Ivan G. Hall was born and raised in Charlotte N.C. He played his first performance with a band called “Universal Funk” at the request of a neighbor and good friend, Mr. Clyde D. Brown to join the horn section at age fourteen. While attending West Charlotte High School he met Willie A. Walker II and Bobby Bolin and formed “The Electric Fried Okra Band”. During his senior year in high school, he auditioned to join the marching band at Johnson C. Smith University under the direction of Mr. Marvin W. Davenport. This was a critical turning point in his musical education. It would bring out the true desire to make music a lifelong pursuit. 

Being raised in the Presbyterian Church, Ivan also played regularly for Memorial Presbyterian Church as well as Friendship Baptist Church and many others. With the music that was written for major Christian holidays being so bold and triumphant, the need for brass players made Ivan who is a brass specialist, in demand for Christmas and Easter.

Ivan attended N.C. A&T State University and became the section leader in the trombone section in the marching band. He also maintained first chair in the concert and jazz bands. While at A&T, Dr. William T. McDaniel who was the chairman of the music department made sure that his students got lots of exposure to the people that were making a difference in the music industry like Donald Byrd, Woody Shaw, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and countless others giving Ivan a strong foundation in jazz and composition as well as a fundamentally sound classical background.

After leaving A&T Ivan went on the road with Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs with his soon to be very good friend, great mentor and music director, Mr. Calvin McKinney Jr. This gave him access to many other opportunities and organizations that opened up doors that made a huge impact. Working with and performing along side groups like The Chairmen of the Board, The Shirelles, The Temptations, the Four Tops, The Spinners, Archie Bell, the P-Funk Horns, Fred Wesley and many others gave Ivan a unique perspective on performance.

While on the road with the Zodiacs Ivan met Mr. Paul Krayer and they became fast friends and roommates, often setting up a recording studio in the hotel rooms after the performance and allowing the creative juices to continue to flow long after the gig. The song “Funktism”, which is on the first CD, “Full Moon”, was recorded in a hotel room in Myrtle Beach after they came off stage. Ivan has been with Paul ever since those times and does not like to go on stage without him.

Ivan is also a published author with the book, Invitation, (Love Letters 101) to his credit and can be found on Amazon.com and Authorhouse.com.

The Ivan Hall Group is the culmination of years of hard work, faith, strong influences and the true desire to make music their own. With the fusion of R&B, rock, gospel and orchestral flavors with a jazz base, Ivan Hall brings a unique listening experience to all audiences, young and the not so young.

After returning to A&T State University to complete the bachelor’s degree program Ivan entered the realm of teaching music and found it as satisfying if not more than performing. Teaching credits include the Sallie B. Howard School in Wilson NC, Assistant band director at Elizebeth City State University, Alderman Elementary, Vandalia elementary, and Madison Elementary schools in Greensboro NC, and Ranson Middle school in Charlotte NC where Ivan now resides.