Jazz pianist. Prolific composer. Abstract visual artist. Austin original.
Hank Hehmsoth is a nationally recognized jazz pianist and composer whose genre-blurring artistry bridges modern jazz, experimental harmony, and visual abstraction. Based in Austin, Texas, he’s known for his lyrical improvisation, harmonic depth, and a bold creative vision that extends from the keyboard to the canvas.
A longtime fixture in the Texas jazz scene, Hank is the founder of Time Space Fabrics (TSF)—a multidisciplinary arts label uniting original music, visual art, and live performance. His recent work includes the acclaimed album Blu-Escape, recorded with his acoustic quartet Double Vision, featuring saxophonist John Mills, bassist Utah Hamrick, and drummer Aaron Easley. The group earned a showcase at SXSW 2024 and made a live TV debut on Fox 7 Austin in June 2025, premiering his composition “Road Trip.”
Hehmsoth’s compositions—such as “Turquoise Rendezvous,” “Chernobyl Cha Cha,” and “Sophie’s Danse”—are celebrated for their cinematic textures, advanced harmonies, and a strong visual sensibility. As an award-winning abstract painter, Hank designs his own album covers and regularly exhibits large-scale works, most recently in the Expressions of Freedom exhibition at Walker Gallery.
Whether in the studio, on stage, or in the gallery, Hank Hehmsoth continues to shape a creative world where jazz is not just heard—but seen and felt. “Blu-Escape has a fantastic energy and creative but not too abstract a melody—so that it’s still memorable, which is a delicate balance to achieve. Bravo!” — Andromeda Turre, SiriusXM Real Jazz
“Hank Hehmsoth’s Double Vision delivered an exciting night of modern jazz—tight rhythm section, strong solos, and deep chemistry. The crowd was fully engaged.” — James (fan review), Elephant Room, April 2025
“A bold pianist and a true storyteller, Hehmsoth’s work feels like a synthesis of jazz history and personal vision.” — All About Jazz
“His compositions pulse with narrative structure, rhythmic tension, and vivid harmonic color. A painter at the piano.” — Jazz Family
“A central figure in Austin’s jazz landscape.” — Austin Jazz Society
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