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Hank Hehmsoth


Hank Hehmsoth: Pianist, Composer, and Visionary Artist

Hank Hehmsoth stands as a dynamic force in the realm of jazz, celebrated for his prowess as a pianist, composer, and his groundbreaking fusion of music with visual art. Based in Austin, Texas, Hehmsoth has cultivated a distinctive niche within the jazz landscape, setting himself apart through his innovative compositions and exceptional improvisational skills.

What truly distinguishes Hehmsoth's creative expression is his seamless integration of music and visual art. Drawing inspiration from classical, world, and avant-garde jazz, he crafts compositions that push the boundaries of convention. As an accomplished abstract painter, Hehmsoth produces large-scale artworks that serve as both companions and enhancers to his musical creations. This innovative synergy is palpable in notable works such as "Chernobyl Cha Cha" (2022), "Circling In" (2022), “Blu-Escape” (2023), "Cabo" (2023), and "Code Blue" (2023). In these compositions, the marriage of music and visual art creates a unique and immersive creative experience that captivates audiences.

Hehmsoth's avant-garde approach has garnered recognition and admiration within the music industry. His commitment to pushing artistic boundaries, coupled with his technical prowess, positions him as a visionary artist capable of reshaping the landscape of contemporary jazz. As he continues to explore the intersection of sound and visuals, Hank Hehmsoth emerges as a trailblazer, offering a fresh perspective and a new dimension to the world of jazz and beyond. 

Hehmsoth has released several albums as a bandleader, including "Exits" (1997), "Exits 3" (2000), and "Night Rhythms" (2013). He has also collaborated with other jazz musicians, including saxophonists Bob Mintzer and Joe Henderson. He has received numerous awards for his work, including being named a MacDowell Norton Stevens Fellow, a NEA Fellow in Jazz, a Fulbright Senior Specialist in American Studies, and the ASCAP Plus Award for Jazz Composition.      
Hank has over 500 videos on his YouTube Official Artist Channel @HanksJazz  which includes major research contributions:     
Austin Jazz Composers Collective     
Just Jazz - rare performances from the 1970 TV broadcasts    
The History of Jazz Drums   
Jerry Goldsmith Cinemagic retrospective     
In addition to his performance career, Hehmsoth is a respected educator and teaches jazz piano and composition at Texas State University. His students include international students from China, Serbia, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, and Romania. He has also led workshops and master classes around the world as a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Jazz, sharing his knowledge and passion for jazz music with aspiring musicians. As a research scholar, Hank is a Jazz Research Fellow for the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University. He has produced the Dan Morgenstern Collection for the National Endowment for the Arts, and discovered rare performances from the 1970 TV broadcasts of "Just Jazz" presumed lost for 50 years.     

Hank's artistic works reflect a compelling consciousness for music to reflect positively on our place in a global community.  He is a Distinguished Academic Member of the International Conference on Visual and Performing Arts in Athens, Greece, and placed first in the 2010 National Association of Composers USA competition. Nominated five times for the Texas State University Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities, Hank won the Dean's Seminar Award in 2015.

Original Artwork by Hank

 Hank is a MacDowell Norton Stevens Fellow in Jazz Composition

MacDowell Fellow

Hank is founder/chairperson of            
H Project Performing Arts Association

hp

   HPPAA is a non-profit organization based in Austin/San Marcos. The mission of H Project is to continually refresh and envision the contemporary, jazz, and world music experience. H Project fulfills its mission through commissioning, performing, presenting, recording and publishing contemporary music, and collaborating with, mentoring and encouraging other artists.


Listen to Hank's interview with the Fulbright Program
on his travels and work in Santiago, Chile

 

HH Fulbright Interview


My Profile at Linked-In
 

Hehmsoth Linked In

Article: "Hillviews Magazine"

Creation M yth

sxsw


Hank is pianist with the Grammy© nominated jazz group Times Ten


"The world is a continual emerging mystery of thought, visions, and sensations that you can view with fresh open eyes."
Pathways on WordPress

pathways


Pathways is where you'll find many and varied writings of Hank Hehmsoth, from opinions, to articles and videos from related topics, and last but not least, his music. Hank frequently gives performance/lectures and talks in Texas as well as the rest of the country. If you are a creative composer or music professor and are interested in Hank teaching a master class on improvisation, composition, and related topics, such as jazz piano and harmony, at your college or university, contact him directly.

 

David Mesquitic

David Mesquitic M.M. Jazz Piano 2017


Hank's YouTube Artist Channel has jazz artist transcriptions available for download

StellabyStarlight-HerbieHancockSolo.pdf


Funny Valentine

My-Funny-Valentine---Herbie-Hancock-Solo.pdf