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

As a musician, I’ve been fortunate to be involved in some remarkable projects throughout my career. One that holds a special place in my heart is the Academy Award-winning song The Best That You Can Do (Theme from Arthur), written by Burt Bacharach, with Christopher Cross.

Garner suggested we all eat together. Elaine’s pushed several tables together. I remember making a beeline to sit next to Lauren Bacall.

One Saturday afternoon, I got a phone call at 2:30. The agent on the other end asked me, “Hey, can you play for Count Basie tonight? He’s got the flu, and I need a sub for him!”

At first, I was taken aback. Me? Sub for Count Basie?!

It was 20 years ago this year that I wrote the music for a documentary celebrating the life and times of Lady Bird Johnson, FLOTUS, First Lady of the United States.

This really gave me firsthand experience of what we all hear about these days—being able to live “off the grid” in places like Marfa, TX or Montana and still stay connected to the world. Suddenly, I was in the mix, connected to Hollywood, all from my little corner of Texas.

"Keep it goin'!"

I had been playing when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Dizzy Gillespie, the legendary jazz trumpet and father of bebop jazz. He said "That sounds great, kid!" and I couldn't believe my eyes!

The Jazz Journalists Association just used my National Endowment for the Arts research on Dan Morgenstern in their tribute to Dan...

...I knew something was wrong because…well, what was it? Oh, OK, he was playing guitar backwards!! Yea, it was Jimi Hendrix!