Survival of the Fittest

VanHemert has performed alongside such luminaries as John Daversa, Dmitri Matheny, Rodney Whitaker, John Webber, Geri Allen, Chris Vadala, Vince DiMartino, and Dave Eggar. His work has resonated in venues like ShapeShifter Lab, Painted Bride, the Blue LLama, Edgefest, the Elkhart Jazz Festival, and the Korean Cultural Foundation in Philadelphia, among others.

A holder of a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Music (MM) from the University of Michigan, VanHemert has shared his knowledge through masterclasses and workshops at institutions including Ohio State University, the University of Wyoming, and Central Michigan University.

It comes as no surprise to find musicians like Michael Dease, Rodney Whitaker, and Terell Stafford among the contributors here artists who, on their own records, have long demonstrated the heights of their artistry. Their presence is no mere cameo; it's a signal that these musicians are still exploring new creative frontiers. Here, they seem more inventive than ever, fully attuned to VanHemert's compositional voice, and clearly relishing the music they bring to life.

VanHemert's latest work is also deeply personal, shaped by the trials he's faced particularly his journey growing up as a Korean adoptee in America. Through this lens, he explores themes of resilience, hope, and joy. His music becomes a vessel for empathy and solidarity. This fifth album as a bandleader radiates those ideals with clarity and conviction.

In many ways, this album feels like a gift to life itself. There's not a trace of bitterness or darkness here; instead, VanHemert smiles at the world through radiant compositions, where friendship among the musicians acts as a golden thread woven invisibly between them. The result is a kind of musical alchemy one that blooms across the record with ever-growing inventiveness, imbuing the album with a sense of springlike renewal.

There's also a playful dialogue between past and present: while some themes pay homage to jazz's historic lineage, others like the striking rendition of Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise seem to emerge from the mind of a creative free radical. These are some of the album's most exhilarating moments. And with such an inspired cast, it's only natural that one idea fuels another, pushing the music into territories that, at times, speak most clearly to seasoned listeners and musicians.

What's especially rewarding is hearing the composer's voice—his sensibility—becoming more and more the very fabric of the music. He knows when to let silence speak and when to let the full force of sound unfold. Across these nine pieces, he sets nine stages where your imagination is invited to roam. At times bordering on contemporary classical, at others anchored in jazz tradition, the compositions are richly varied, revealing the intellectual depth of VanHemert's vision.

There's risk in such honesty—courage, even—in presenting his art in its purest, most personal form. But this is precisely what makes the album so compelling. It's one of those works that rewards time, attention, and emotional openness. Let yourself be touched, and you'll find its beauty and poetry lingering long after the final note.