HankJazz Artwork Series #3
Music Themes: The Visual Rhythm of Jazz
The Music Themes series by Hank Hehmsoth transforms the essence of music into a visual experience, blending portraits of musicians, abstract interpretations of rhythm, and scenes from jazz life. Each piece channels the energy, emotion, and spontaneity of musical performance, creating a gallery where sound meets color and movement. Through bold brushstrokes and expressive color palettes, the series captures the soul of jazz, inviting viewers to feel the heartbeat of jazz musicians.
Studio A quiet sanctuary for creation, 'Studio' captures the elegance of the grand piano amid an abstract backdrop, embodying the solitude and inspiration found in a musician’s private space.
Rio Soirée Alive with the colors and rhythms of a summer afternoon, 'Rio Soirée' brings viewers into the heart of a lively Latin jazz gathering, where music, dance, and warm breezes blend in perfect harmony.
Hank's Keys A close-up exploration of sound and form, 'Hank's Keys' offers an abstract glimpse into a single octave, where each key holds the potential for melody, harmony, and endless improvisation.
John's Sax An ode to decades of collaboration, 'John's Sax' captures the soulful spirit of my colleague John Mills and his sax —an abstract impression of the instrument that has voiced countless melodies in our journey.
John Mills Times Ten A vibrant polytriptych of sound and form, 'John Mills Times Ten' presents abstract portraits of ten musicians with their instruments, celebrating the collective energy, individuality, and interplay within a single expansive composition.
Double Vision Blocked in bold greens and reds, 'Double Vision' captures the collaboration through abstracted forms and facial features. Standing side by side, this dual portrait celebrates the creative partnership and shared vision of composers John Mills and Hank Hehmsoth, co-leaders of Double Vision.
Guitarist An abstract portrayal of a jazz guitarist lost in rhythm and melody, 'Guitarist' captures the fluid motion and soulful expression of music flowing through strings and into the air.
Studio II Explosive with color and texture, 'Studio II' reimagines the creative space around a grand piano, with bold splashes, streaks, drips, and scratch lines that evoke the raw, unfiltered energy of composition and improvisation.
The Zone Hank explores the immersive state musicians enter during peak performance. This abstract piece uses vibrant colors and layered textures to convey the focused energy and flow of jazz. Part of the Music Themes Series, The Zone portrays the intense concentration and transcendence that define the creative process, inviting viewers to step into the artist’s world of complete musical immersion.
Self-Portrait A deeply personal exploration, 'Self-Portrait' captures the artist’s connection to music through abstracted forms of head, hand, and keyboard—expressing the intimate dialogue between musician and instrument in strokes of pure expression.
Portrait of Miss Carmen Bradford A tribute to the remarkable Carmen Bradford, vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra, this portrait captures her strength, warmth, and powerhouse presence —an embodiment of jazz’s vibrant soul and the voice that brings it to life.
Polyrhythms A visual symphony of independent rhythms, 'Polyrhythms' weaves streams of movement and energy that seem to pulse separately, yet merge in perfect harmony —a celebration of jazz’s layered complexity and syncopated flow.
Portrait of John Mills A tribute to decades of collaboration, 'Portrait of John Mills' captures the spirit of a fellow musician and visionary. Together, we’ve shaped a shared path forward for jazz, blending tradition with new horizons.
Maestro Commissioned by my friend, conductor Erik Ochsner, 'Maestro' captures the sweeping energy of an orchestra in motion. As Erik leads the ensemble, waves of music rise and unfold above in vibrant blocks of color, embodying the passion and harmony of a live performance.
Jazz Notations An abstract tapestry of markings, rhythms, harmonies, and melodies, 'Jazz Notations' visualizes the intricate language of jazz—where each symbol and line represents the spontaneity and depth of the music.
Piano Hands An abstract impression of hands in motion, 'Piano Hands' captures the delicate power and fluid grace of a pianist at the keys, where every touch shapes melody and emotion.
Circling In A vortex of sound and color, 'Circling In' draws viewers into the rhythmic swirls of jazz that, like a hurricane, spiral toward a calm center—a place where chaos and harmony coexist.
Double Vision II Amid the quiet patter of rain, 'Double Vision II' captures a reflective moment between musicians, deep in conversation about jazz’s nuances and possibilities. An introspective pause between performances, where ideas flow as freely as the music.
The Groove The Groove captures the essence of jazz rhythm and flow. With bold colors and dynamic lines, this piece reflects the pulse and energy of jazz music, celebrating its layered complexity and syncopated beat. Part of the Music Themes Series, The Groove invites viewers to experience the movement and improvisational spirit of jazz through a visual lens.
The Piano Mind an abstract exploration by jazz pianist and artist Hank Hehmsoth that delves into the pianist’s inner world. This piece captures the complex interplay between thought, emotion, and sound, revealing the mental landscape where melodies and harmonies take shape.
Finger Drumming is an abstract exploration of rhythm and movement, capturing the intensity and precision of hands in motion. Bold strokes, vibrant colors, and dynamic textures evoke the beat and pulse of jazz, translating music into a visual experience that feels both energetic and deeply rooted in jazz tradition.