Didn't hear back from Barry  on his birthday and checked the internet and learned that Barry passed in March.
I'm sorry and sad. We were lawyers together at UnitedLex from 2014-2019 before I moved to TX. Barry lived a full life of love, was uniquely himself, and brilliant. He shined or shone wherever he went. He was a military veteran, with an interesting variety of interests, as well as a magnet for a diverse group of people. Now, he is timeless, and prayerfully, eternal . Rest in peace, Barry .
💟✝️☮️
Jan Willis,
DFW, TX

I was an hour past trying to make any decisions, between what I believe is the hat Barry was wearing when I first met him and one that he frequently wore to bluegrass jams. They will live on and I'd like to believe he would be pleased.

I met Barry 6 years ago when we moved into the upstairs apartment in his building. Im a mom to two kids with autism and at the time they were both toddlers. im constantly dealing with anxiety from making sure we stay small enough and quiet enough to not upset anyone and I will never forget the day i met Barry. He knocked on my door and asked if we were bouncing a basketball upstairs by chance and i told him no, im sorry my toddler he just loves to run and i dont even think at the time i knew or told barry that he was autistic. but he immediately shifted into empathy and told me oh okay no worries. He always thought of my kids and would come them give them gifts holidays or just stop by and drop off a couple of toys he probably got from a festival he way playing at that weekend. Hed always talk to us if ran into each other downstairs and kept up with what the kids had going on and genuinely cared about my family. He helped me get my sons stuffed pig off our roof one time after he accidentally threw him up there because my husband was at work. he was just the type of neighbor anyone would be grateful to have. The last time I saw was when he came upstairs a few weeks because he had gotten the kids a couple tshirts.. i will forever miss having him in our lives and his kindness and friendship. he was an amazing person.  he will be forever missed.

Dear Family and Friends of Barry,
I have had the honor of knowing and loving Barry since we met in 1983.  We have shared so many philosophical talks, laughter, poetry, and music.  We had the beautiful opportunity to travel together and explore new vistas.  
Barry's love for music, connection and people and his zest for life and quest for knowledge have left an indelible mark on me. I will miss him every day and am grateful that I got to share his smile, laughter and love.
Thank you, 
Baruch Dayan Emet
Eva Trieger, Ramona, CA

To Barry's family:
My very deepest condolences!  I met Barry in law school, lost touch and reconnected in 2024. Words cannot describe his singular spirit - he was a well-rounded person with all kinds of talents, interests and wisdom.  I share your loss because he was such a great friend.  Karen

Sorry to hear of Barry’s passing.  Enjoyed our times playing music together.  RIP my friend.  Wonderful guy all around.

I first met Barry — sporting his black cowboy hat — on April 26, 2018, at a Sarah Shook concert at DC’s Pearl Street Warehouse. We started chatting about Richmond. He mentioned he played at bluegrass jams, and I told him I usually went to the ones at Final Gravity. After that, we started recognizing each other at the jams, and over the years he also got to know two of my dogs.

Barry loved Klezmer music and once clued me into Friday night Sabbath services streaming from a beautiful New York City temple with incredible music. The first time he sent the link, I couldn’t find the right candles, so I quickly grabbed my parrot candles and lit them while watching the service.

Almost exactly a year ago, after his appearance with Heavy Shtetl at Gramophone, Barry gifted me The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah. I regret that we didn’t have more time for philosophical discussions about it. I jokingly told him recently he needed to get better because I hadn’t read it yet.

At one point I had given him a gold Chai Y'All pendant my mom had made for me when I first moved to Richmond. I’m hoping his sister now has it.

Barry also liked to document what was played at the jams in his notebook. I hope that notebook finds its way to one of his bluegrass jam buddies.

He hadn’t been coming to the Tuesday bluegrass jams for a while because he had started taking jazz lessons. Another regret is that I didn’t get to see him play at the Sunday Reveler jazz set, though I did see a video Cheryl had posted.

Our last phone call was February 17. My last message from him was this past Friday. Part of a longer message from March 5 read:

“Love you and all my wonderful friends. It’s been good, and that respect just felt so nice.”

Rest well, my friend.

I have known you for about 20 years! 
We shared many good and bad times and were confidants. 
I wish you peace and see you biking with the angels! 
Will miss you my caring, loving, musical friend!
JP

OBITUARY

Barry Ricardo Hall

May 8, 1957 – March 10, 2026

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