Hank Hehmsoth
Hank Hehmsoth is Professor of Practice in Jazz Studies at Texas State University. He is a jazz pianist, composer, visual artist, and researcher whose work spans performance, composition, interdisciplinary art, and archival scholarship. His creative activity includes jazz performance, original composition, and visual-art projects that connect sound and image, including the series Seeing Sound / Hearing Color.
In addition to his creative work, Hehmsoth has developed a substantial body of research and archival activity in jazz history. His projects include work with the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, research on Dan Morgenstern, recovery and presentation of rare jazz broadcast materials, and public-facing digital scholarship such as The History of Jazz Drums and the Just Jazz archival video series. His writing has appeared in venues including All About Jazz and the Jazz Journalists Association.
Hehmsoth’s honors and distinctions include Fulbright appointments, MacDowell fellowships, grants supporting creative and scholarly work, and national and international research activity. At Texas State, he teaches jazz piano, improvisation, composition, and related areas, and mentors students pursuing professional paths in performance, composition, research, and higher education.
Areas of teaching and activity
Areas: Jazz piano, improvisation, composition, jazz studies, interdisciplinary creative practice, archival research
Additional information:
| Recent student comments: |
"I have very much enjoyed my time studying with you during my masters program. I came in confident of my abilities as a jazz musician and composer, but you've helped me further solidify them, as well as teach me aspects that I was weaker in or had not considered yet. My understanding of jazz harmony and composition has grown significantly since our first lesson, and I will always value my time under your tutelage. Thank you for believing in me and for challenging me to be a better composer/orchestrator and musician." “...the best teacher I have had throughout all of my degrees. His work ethic is tremendous. I have recommended him to the best students I know. He continually gave more time than was required in our meetings, and was never in a hurry to end the lesson.” |
Student outcomes
Selected former students have gone on to careers in performance, higher education, military ensembles, and international professional music activity.
