HanksJazz
Music is my language, art my vision, and jazz my bridge to the world.
I am Hank Hehmsoth — jazz pianist, composer, visual artist, scholar, and teacher. My work connects performance, composition, visual art, archival research, and mentorship into a single creative practice shaped by improvisation, curiosity, and a lifelong commitment to jazz.
Discover this journey through live performance, original composition, interdisciplinary art, research, and teaching — where each discipline informs the next and every path leads back to the creative spirit of jazz.
Jazz Pianist
The Art of Jazz in Every Key
— Essence of an Artist
Jazz is the foundation of my creative life and the thread that connects everything I do. Each performance is a conversation — shaped in the moment through rhythm, harmony, and interaction.
From intimate clubs to concert stages, I approach the piano as both instrument and voice, bringing together lyricism, energy, and spontaneity. Over decades of performance across jazz, classical, and crossover settings, improvisation remains at the center — the place where the music becomes fully alive.
Composer
Composing the Soundtrack of Jazz
— A Composer’s Journey in Jazz and Beyond
My compositions reflect a lifelong exploration of jazz language, structure, and color. From small-group works to large-scale projects, my catalog includes more than 200 original compositions shaped by improvisation, advanced harmony, and a strong visual imagination.
Whether writing for Double Vision, chamber ensembles, or interdisciplinary collaborations, I aim to create music that is personal, exploratory, and grounded in the expressive possibilities of jazz.
Artist
Music in Color, Expression in Every Brushstroke
— Bridging Sound and Vision
My visual art extends the same improvisational thinking that shapes my music. Through abstract composition, gesture, and color, I translate rhythm, motion, and harmonic energy into visual form.
These works are not separate from the music — they are part of the same creative language. Across exhibitions, album artwork, and digital series, I explore a space where sound and image interact, creating a multidimensional experience rooted in jazz.
Scholar
Unlocking the Stories Behind the Notes
— A Lifelong Pursuit of Jazz History
My research is grounded in a deep commitment to jazz history and cultural memory. Through archival work, recorded interviews, and historical investigation, I focus on uncovering overlooked stories and preserving important voices in the music.
From projects connected to the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University to rediscovered broadcasts and rare materials, this work bridges past and present — helping ensure that the legacy of jazz continues to inform future generations.
Teacher
Recent recognitions include support from the City of Austin’s 2026 Elevate Grant program and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, reflecting ongoing work through performance, composition, interdisciplinary art, and community-centered programming with H Project Performing Arts Association (HPPAA).
Igniting Creativity, Inspiring the Next Generation
— A Legacy of Mentorship
Teaching is one of the most meaningful parts of my work. As Professor of Practice in Jazz Studies at Texas State University, I guide students not only in technique, but in developing their own artistic voice.
In lessons, ensembles, and masterclasses, I encourage curiosity, listening, and creative risk. For me, teaching is not separate from artistry — it is an extension of it, where knowledge, experience, and imagination are passed forward through the next generation of musicians.
🎶 Follow Hank on Socials:
