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Hank Hehmsoth

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hank Hehmsoth
Born (1952-09-06) 6 September 1952 (age 73)
San Antonio, Texas
CitizenshipAmerican
OccupationsJazz pianist, Composer, Arranger & Visual artist
Websitehanksjazz.com

Hank Hehmsoth (born September 6, 1952) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and visual artist.[1] He has recorded and performed widely and serves as Professor of Practice in Jazz Studies at Texas State University[2] and a Senior Fulbright Specialist.[3]

Early life and education

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Hehmsoth was born in San Antonio, Texas. He began learning and performing classical music with his father, a violinist, prior to learning to read English. He was later taught jazz by notable musicians like Bill Evans, Bob Mintzer, and Chick Corea.[4]

Career

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Hehmsoth started his career on the road touring with artists such as Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, and Bonnie Raitt, playing and recording with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Christopher Cross.[3] He contributed saxophone performances to the Academy Award-winning Theme from Arthur and shared the stage with artists like Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Beverly Sills, and Count Basie.[2]

In April 2024, Hehmsoth released his fifth album, Blu-Escape with his quartet Double Vision and mastered at Abbey Road Studios.[5] The release premiered at SXSW 2024, where his group performed their original music in partnership with a visual art pairing.[6] He has also released several trio records on his label Time Space Fabrics, and his works have appeared on global compilation albums.[1]

In addition to music, Hehmsoth is a practicing visual artist. He exhibited original digital art in Expressions of Freedom at Walker's Gallery (San Marcos, Texas) in 2025.[7] This exhibition featured in local press alongside past shows like Winging It.[8]

Hehmsoth balances his creative output with public involvement: he writes for All About Jazz and other publications that specialize in jazz and actively provides the confluence of sound and visual organization.[9] His work has been featured in gallery exhibitions and live performance settings, including appearances at Walker Gallery, Cephas House, and programs hosted by the Austin Jazz Society.[8]

Reception and interviews

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In a 2025 review for Los Angeles Jazz Scene, Scott Yanow, the American jazz reviewer, described Hehmsoth's album titled Blu-Escape as highlighting his lyrical phrasing and harmonic approach with focus on the album’s emphasis on mood, space, and melodic restraint.[10]

In 2025, the San Marcos Daily Record featured Hehmsoth on its front page as a composer and visual artist, examining his interdisciplinary approach and his role within the Central Texas jazz and the arts community at large.[11]

Professional affiliations

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Hehmsoth is a Distinguished Academic Member of the Athens Institute for Education and Research's International Conference on Visual and Performing Arts.[12] He is also a lifetime voting member for the GRAMMY Awards.[13]

Discography

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Albums

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YearAlbum
2024A Night of Chick Corea
2024Hank Hehmsoth - Piano
2024Hank Hehmsoth, Double Vision (Jazz) – Blu-Escape
2024Night Rhythms
2024Exit

Awards and recognition

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Hehmsoth’s work has received support and recognition from notable arts and academic organizations. Among them include:

  • NEA Jazz Composer Grant (1979)[12]
  • MacDowell Colony Norton Stevens Fellowship (2012)[12]
  • Fulbright U.S. Scholar – Chile (2012, 2016)[12]
  • NEA Art:Works Grant for the Dan Morgenstern Collection (2018)[12]
  • ASCAP Plus Award (2025)[14]
  • Aaron Copland Fund for Music Award (2025)[15]

References

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  1. 1 2 "Hank Hehmsoth: Workshop: Find the Zone – Art & Sound Without Scrolling Past". baycitytribune.com. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 Shannon West,"Jazz legend, TXST Professor of Practice has exhibit at Walkers' Gallery". sanmarcosrecord.com. 7 June 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Hank Hehmsoth discusses Christopher Cross, music education, jazz research with Big Ideas TXST". news.txst.edu. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Hank Hehmsoth - Professor of Practice - School of Music". faculty.txst.edu. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  5. ↑ Jayme Blaschke,"TXST jazz pianist Hank Hehmsoth releases his 5th album, 'Blu-Escape'". txst.edu. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Hank Hehmsoth: Double Vision -Supple Music Series". hccommunityjournal.com. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Hank Hehmsoth Featured at Walker Gallery: Expressions of Freedom". do512.com. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Jazz Artist Hank Hehmsoth showcases new works in Expressions of Freedom exhibit". sanmarcosrecord.com. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "Hank Hehmsoth Musician". allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "TXST jazz pianist Hank Hehmsoth releases his 5th album, 'Blu-Escape'". sanmarcosrecord.com. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  11. ↑ John Clark,"Durham jazz fest to host top performers and Hehmsoth art exhibit". sanmarcosrecord.com. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Hank Hehmsoth:School of Music". music.txst.edu. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "Meet Hank Hehmsoth". c3.finearts.txst.edu. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "Hehmsoth garners 2024 ASCAP Plus Award for work as composer". sanmarcosrecord.com. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "TXST's Hehmsoth receives Aaron Copland Fund for Music award". sanmarcosrecord.com. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
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