I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with so many amazing musicians and artists. Please check out our recordings and YouTubes, thank you for listening!
“Hegarty enhances “Impressions” by pressing down on the pedals in a way that makes them sound as if a muted percussion instrument is accompanying him. The pedals’ sustain effect, combined with the bright colors from the piano’s upper register, makes this interpretation the most substantial statement on a very personal and original recording.” – Corey Hall, Jazzreview.com
The STL Free Jazz Collective was founded in 2015. We perform socially active music in the St. Louis free jazz style optimized by artists such as the Black Artist Group. We were recently named to St. Louis Magazine’s “A-List” in recognition of our contribution to the St. Louis music scene and our focus on social justice, equality, and brothhood/sisterhood. STL is Michael Castro (poet), Jay Dubz (alto sax), Baba Mike Nelson (shells, trumpet, vocals), Paul Steinbeck (electric bass), Gary Sykes (drums), and Jim Hegarty (piano/keyboards). Please check out our recordings and videos and follow us on Facebook so you can attend our performances. We look forward to seeing you!
Jazz and experimental music are closely intertwined in my practice. Some may say that these music experiments go beyond the realm of jazz. I understand. But the way I read jazz history, there have always been artists that pushed towards the edge, that had a desire to find something new and exciting. I am committed to this underlying “search” that has always been a part of jazz. I hope you will hear that my underlying goal is always the same: to explore spontaneous melodic expression and discover new timbres and textures. Technology is often a part of this adventure. Here are videos and albums that illustrate these ideas. Thank you for listening!
The New Vision Ensemble is a collective of improvising musicians that present creative, innovative performances that often incorporate technology or media. The ensemble grew out of our regularly monthly performances over the five years when the Tavern of Fine Arts was open. Many of us performed together for years before, as well. Here are some links to recent concerts. Thank you for checking us out!
This composition was inspired by time spent in Mexico City in September, 2017. The work received its premiere on March 15, 2018 at Principia College. It was composed specifically for this collaboration with organist Rose Whitmore.
The idea for an organ and synthesizer duet came to me while I was immersed in the architecture and culture of Mexico City. With authentic Spanish Baroque and Classical buildings all around, yet amid the dynamic and lively culture of a thriving cutting-edge arts scene, it just hit me over the head with how awesome the combination of these two instruments would be. Please check out our videos and audio recordings!
Secret Sessions is an informal group of musicians exploring creativity and experimental music ideas. Since November of 2016, we have been gathering at my house about once every month to make music, talk, and record. Albums are available for free download. We have a open aesthetic with no edits and minimal processing. St. Louis has an amazing music scene and it’s inspiring to be able to make music with these outstanding musicians. Check out our Bandcamp site to hear what I’m talking about!
Noise Reduction Society produces large-scale multimedia works. The first production was my multimedia opera, PeaceOpera: The Soul of the Rock which premiered in Chicago. Subsequently, the work received a NEA grant for development and production in New York. Additional performances have been given in Chicago and St. Louis. From 1994 through 2005, several major works were composed and produced. I am currently in the process of digitizing the archival recordings and posting them on the internet. I hope that in the future there will be a way to reopen the resources (time and venue) that allowed this scale of creativity and production. I am grateful for the support of Kathe Dunlop, who was in many ways the executive producer for most of this. A list of productions follows below.
The Soul of the Rock, Harold Washington Public Library, Chicago, May 1994, Here Performing Arts Center, New York, Elgin Community College, September 1994, March 1997, St. Louis Community College, April 2001,
The Lost Mansion of Sojourn, (installation) Ward-Nasse Gallery, NYC, October 1997, (live performances) Elgin Community College, November 1997, Montreal Fringe Festival, June 1998, St. Louis Community College, October 1998 and November 2002
Talking to Myself, St. Louis Community College, October 1998
Two Rooms, Business of Art Center, Manitou Springs, CO, November 2000
Subway, Three Sinks Gallery, St. Louis, MO, October 2002
Euridice Remix, Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis, MO, March 2002
Polygraphiae, Christ Church Cathedral, May 9, 2003
Sound Objects, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, November 2005
The Secret of Naereaon, interactive adventure computer game: music and sfx, team member for 3D modeling, level building, texture, lighting, and scripting. 2005-2007
Aerial, electronic musical score for the CG animation short: First Place Award in Professional Experimental Animation, Red Stick International Animation Festival (2005); distributed on the DVD compilation included with the Winter 2005 edition of the Computer Music Journal published by MIT Press.
Direct cinema works with a strong music component. They are scattered around YouTube right now. I hope to get them organized someday. For now, here are some examples, and links to my channels below. Thanks a million for watching!
