Hank Hehmsoth: Research Scholar
Advancing Jazz, Education, and Cultural Preservation
Hank Hehmsoth’s work as a research scholar brings together jazz history, archival preservation, accessibility, interdisciplinary creativity, and education. Through rediscovered broadcast performances, archival projects, lectures, and multimedia scholarship, his research preserves important cultural history while opening new paths for performance, teaching, and public engagement.
As a Research Scholar at the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, Hehmsoth played a pivotal role in preserving rare archival materials, ensuring the legacy of jazz remains vibrant for future generations.
Key accomplishments include:
Rare Performances Rediscovered
The 1970 PBS television broadcasts of Just Jazz, a groundbreaking series showcasing legendary jazz musicians, were long thought lost to history. Recently rediscovered through archival research, these rare recordings offer an invaluable glimpse into the golden age of jazz, capturing iconic performances and preserving the energy, creativity, and spirit of the era. The Just Jazz archive represents an important visual and historical record of jazz performance and television history.
Unveiling a Hidden Gem
Experience the electrifying 1986 performance of the Joe Henderson Quintet 1986 performance at Antone's in Austin, TX, featuring Hank Hehmsoth on piano. This unforgettable event, long tucked away in the annals of jazz history, showcases the dynamic interplay and virtuosity that defined an era.
History of Jazz Drums – Rhythms Reclaimed
The History of Jazz Drums is a research and archival video project exploring the evolution of jazz percussion and the drummers who shaped the sound of jazz. Through rare recordings, historical footage, and interviews, the series documents the development of jazz rhythm from early New Orleans drummers to modern jazz percussionists, preserving an important part of jazz history through archival research and video documentation. Episode 1, Warren “Baby” Dodds & Zutty Singleton, has surpassed 21,000 views on YouTube and generated strong audience engagement, underscoring the project’s value as a public-facing educational and historical resource.
A rare 1986 audio interview featuring Bill Cosby as he reflects on his personal friendship with legendary jazz musician Miles Davis. This intimate conversation offers unique insights into Davis's personality, artistry, and the bond the two shared. Part of research conducted at Rutgers University's Institute of Jazz Studies.
Jerry Goldsmith Retrospective
This five-part retrospective, produced by SiriusXM Cinemagic with research contributions by Hank Hehmsoth, explores the extraordinary career of composer Jerry Goldsmith. Spanning decades of iconic film and television scores, the series presents curated recordings, historical context, and analysis of Goldsmith’s innovative approach to orchestration, film scoring, and musical storytelling.
Bridging Eras:
Jazz Scholarship and Innovation
These projects highlight Hehmsoth’s commitment to preserving and sharing jazz’s artistic and cultural impact.
Hehmsoth’s most recent work, developed during his Fulbright Senior Specialist program in Chile, bridges music education and accessibility.
Created Braille-transcribed jazz materials, empowering visually impaired students to learn and perform independently.
Conducted hands-on workshops in Santiago, Chile, integrating jazz theory and improvisation with accessible tools.
Inspired a global audience by showcasing the transformative power of accessible music education.
"Music transcends boundaries. Through Braille music education, we ensure that no musician is left behind." – Hank Hehmsoth
Creativity: The Myth and the Role of Research in Creative Work
At the Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), I delivered a presentation titled "Creativity: The Myth and the Role of Research in Creative Work". Before a roomful of composers from around the world, I discussed how my research informs my creative process, focusing on my composition Two Desert Dances. This piece incorporates field recordings of Native American songs—integrated respectfully and with artist permissions—into a contemporary jazz framework.
The session turned lively when a Yugoslavian composer challenged my methods, questioning whether using sacred songs in this way was sacrilegious. While I referenced Stravinsky and Bartók's similar use of folk melodies, a debate erupted. Two female composers in the audience defended my approach, noting the importance of research and innovation in composition.
The confrontation didn’t stop there—he criticized my harmonic language, claiming the "mixed sharps and flats" in my chords showed a lack of skill. I couldn’t help but laugh, as it’s standard practice in jazz to push harmonic boundaries. This episode reminded me that authenticity and expertise often face scrutiny, but they also invite meaningful dialogue and growth.
These moments, though challenging, are a testament to the role of research in advancing creative work. They’ve reinforced my mission to connect tradition and innovation while navigating cultural complexities.
My participation in ATINER wasn’t limited to lectures—I also performed as a soloist at the 6th International Conference on Visual and Performing Arts and reviewed numerous scholarly works for their journal. These experiences deepened my understanding of how research fuels creativity across disciplines, geographies, and perspectives.
Interview with Texas State’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Exploring Creativity Through Research and Collaboration
Creativity as a Meeting Ground
Creativity doesn’t exist in isolation—it thrives on research, dialogue, and shared experience. Throughout my career as a composer, performer, and educator, I’ve been fascinated by the interplay between research and the creative process. Whether it’s drawing from historical sources, collaborating with global communities, or teaching the next generation of musicians, I’ve found that research transforms creativity into a dynamic and meaningful exchange.
A Vision for Creativity in Music
The experiences at ATINER, OLLI, and other platforms have shaped my approach to teaching, composition, and performance. By blending research with creativity, I aim to:
Expand cultural horizons through cross-genre and cross-cultural collaborations.
Challenge conventional norms with innovative compositions informed by deep scholarship.
Inspire new generations of musicians to see research as a tool for artistic growth.
“Research and creativity are inseparable. One informs the other, pushing us toward new horizons.”
"The Dan Morgenstern Collection"
is a jazz archive and research project funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Hank Hehmsoth curated and documented this archive of rare jazz interviews, performances, and historical materials associated with jazz historian Dan Morgenstern, preserving important moments in jazz history through archival research, video documentation, and historical preservation work at Texas State University.
Television and Film Collaborations
2024 PBS documentary Wham-Re-Bop-Boom-Bam: The Swing Jazz of Eddie Durham (Advisor, Consultant, Cast Member, and Artwork Contributor).
Braille Music Education: Transforming Accessibility
Exploring Creativity Through Research and Collaboration
Hehmsoth’s scholarship spans diverse fields, including jazz history, archival research, and multimedia projects. Key credits include:
Research Meets Creative Practice: The Dean's Seminar
In my Dean's Seminar presentation, "Creativity: The Myth and the Role of Research in Creative Work", I explored the origins of creative thought. Delving into how research informs inspiration, I argued that creativity isn’t purely mythical—it’s a structured, intentional process fueled by curiosity and discovery.
“Research isn’t just about answers—it’s about asking better questions. Creativity is what happens when those questions lead to new ideas, sounds, and forms.”
Two Desert Dances is a composition by Hank Hehmsoth created during his time as a MacDowell Norton Stevens Fellow. The work merges jazz composition with rare Native American field recordings from 1950s New Mexico, reflecting research-based composition and interdisciplinary work combining archival research, cultural history, and contemporary music composition. The MacDowell Fellowship is one of the most prestigious artist residencies in the United States, awarded to artists whose work contributes to the cultural and artistic landscape.
OLLI Interview: Creativity and Its Challenges
In an interview with the University of Texas Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), I shared personal anecdotes that highlight the complex relationship between research and creativity. Whether facing critiques of my harmonic language or navigating cross-cultural exchanges, I’ve learned that pushing boundaries often invites both skepticism and growth.
“Creativity isn’t about staying within the lines. It’s about re-drawing the lines and asking others to look at them differently.”