The power of storytelling in jazz lies in its ability to bridge the music and the listener, creating a shared emotional journey. Whether it’s through personal anecdotes, the legacy of greats like Monk, or the stories embedded in every note and phrase, jazz becomes more than sound—it becomes connection. It’s through these stories that the music breathes, grows, and resonates, inviting us all to become part of its ongoing narrative.

On September 7, 2024, the jazz world lost one of its greatest advocates and historians, NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern. Dan was a towering figure in jazz journalism, a master storyteller, and a walking encyclopedia of jazz history. Dan Morgenstern didn’t just write about jazz—he lived it, with a passion and knowledge that set him apart. He was, quite simply, the gold standard.

As a creative visual artist, musician, and improviser, my life is a beautiful intersection of artistry and scholarship. I straddle two worlds—immersed in the vibrant spontaneity of performing and composing while diving deeply into the academic realm of research and historical discovery.

After nearly five decades of performing, composing, teaching, and advocating, I’ve come to see my work as an artist through a singular lens: the pursuit of freedom. Whether onstage improvising a jazz solo, in the studio painting an abstract canvas, or mentoring a student halfway around the world, the act of creating has always been a deeply personal expression of liberation.

My journey as an artist began alongside my deep love for music—a connection that would continue to intertwine and inspire my creative path. Even amidst the rigors of musical training, the pull toward visual arts remained a constant undercurrent, offering me another way to explore and express my creative voice.

My journey as an artist began alongside my deep love for music—a connection that would continue to intertwine and inspire my creative path. Even amidst the rigors of musical training, the pull toward visual arts remained a constant undercurrent, offering me another way to explore and express my creative voice.

From my early love for West Side Story to earning a MacDowell Fellowship, this blog traces my journey through the vibrant worlds of Broadway, classical piano, and jazz. Discover how these milestones shaped my artistic voice and creative path

As a pianist, my journey has taken me through countless performances, but working as a pit orchestra keyboardist for Broadway shows is an entirely unique experience. It’s more than just being a solid pianist, ensemble player, or even a jazzer—it’s about mastering technical precision, multitasking, and working seamlessly as part of a highly coordinated team.

the musical composed by Hank Hehmsoth on themes of medieval spirituality, drawing on the ancient practice of contemplative labyrinth walking—a ritual meditation pathway walked by nuns to symbolize spiritual journeys.

Two Desert Dances is a groundbreaking composition that merges jazz ensemble with Native American dance recordings from the 1950s. This work, inspired by archival field recordings from the John Donald Robb Archive, features a live ensemble performing alongside original recordings of Native American musicians.

Step into a fascinating chapter of my musical journey: teaching jazz piano to Hollywood legend Jack Lemmon. While staying at the Hyatt in Austin during a film shoot, Lemmon dedicated a week to diving into the art of jazz piano under my guidance. Explore the unique connection we shared, the lessons we worked on, and the unforgettable experience of mentoring a Hollywood icon with a passion for music.

I talk about my remarkable 1973 Private Lesson with the famous composer Aaron Copland in my Pathways blog.
Now more than 50 years later, I am elated to have received the 2024 Aaron Copland Fund for Music Award

A powerful portrait of jazz drumming legend Roy Haynes captures his dynamic energy and distinct style. Known as "Snap Crackle" for his crisp, rhythmic clarity, Haynes is pictured at his drum kit, exuding the mastery that defined his seven-decade career. With a confident posture and intense focus, this image reflects Haynes' unparalleled influence in jazz, from bebop beginnings with Charlie Parker to collaborations with John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk. His legacy in jazz drumming remains a testament to innovation, flexibility, and enduring passion.

Explore the Blu-Ray special edition release of Scary Movie (1991), featuring an original score by jazz composer Hank Hehmsoth. This blog dives into the film’s cult status, Hehmsoth’s orchestral jazz soundtrack, and the creative challenges of composing for this low-budget horror classic. Learn about Hehmsoth’s unique approach to blending jazz with horror and how Scary Movie is gaining renewed attention in the horror and jazz communities.

Celebrating Carmen Bradford: Austin Jazz Society Hall of Fame Induction

— Hank plays a night of Jazz With Miss Beverly Sills

Fast forward to concert night, and who shows up backstage? None other than Cheryl Ladd herself, the real-life Angel...

open for 45 minutes a day, the 10 meter diving board was not for the faint hearted