Joe Hesh

Joe Hesh was born in Macomb, Illinois, and was raised in Pekin. He received his B.S. in music therapy from Illinois State University, studying under Dr. Daniel Stephens and Dr. Paul Rosene. During his time at ISU, he studied four years of classical piano with Perry Hackett from Julliard. He completed his certification in music therapy with an internship in Ellisville,MS under the direction of Photine Vlahos. He then completed a ThM degree in Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Dallas Theological Seminary and has served four churches so far with a therapeutic usage of music in aiding the spiritual growth of congregations and nationwide. He is co-founder of Aspenbreeze Productions and currently is under contract to record with that label. Joe is the Director of Worship at "Chelten: A Church of Hope" in Dresher, PA, and is in his eighth year there. He also just completed studies in trauma and is currently involved as a researcher with Lakeside Educational Network in the area of music and trauma under the direction of Gerry Vassar. Gerry and Aspenbreeze co-founder and president, Jeff Nicholson, serve on Joe's advisory board helping in areas of cultural awareness.

Joe's mission is to assist schools, organizations, churches, and individuals in understanding and profiting from the arts and cultural influences in our environment. He has created "Trauma-Informed Music", which includes a series of recordings beginning with "Peace" that are and will be actively field tested in different behavior settings with a therapeutic approach. Other recently released albums in the series are "Dawn", "Breeze", "Focus", and Maintain. The new "More Christmas" album was released Nov 3, 2013. On April 21, 2014, the album “Fours” was released as a tool to help students pass between classes. Three more to be released before summer in this area of trauma informed music.

It is with heavy hearts that we annouce the passing of our dear friend Joe Hesh. His courageous 3-year fight against brain tumors came to an end on March 8, 2016. We will continue to offer Joe's music through this site as well as post any re-released material in the future that is not currently available.

DISCOGRAPHY

Latest Re-release!

Hosanna - 12 vocal songs.
12 songs of praise and worship
This vocal album contains 12 songs with traditional piano. Released 1988.

Still - 11 instrumental songs.

11 instrumental songs for memory healing; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Still" is a 59-minute, 11-song collection of songs to help with memory healing.

This album combines two of the most powerful resources of meaningful memories, the familiarity of music and the need for us all to find our way back to self-regulation so that our brains and bodies can truly rest. “Still” will take you to many wonderful places in that journey we travel shutting down for the day and waking up to a whole new life. Current research indicates that when music is used appropriately it can shift mood, manage stress, stimulate positive interaction and facilitate cognitive function. Familiar music styles such as folk music have the ability to create significant recall even in severe cases of dementia or other issues related to brain disorders. A key reason why music therapy is so powerful it that music memories can outlive and are more important than regular memories. “Still” will help fill a void in memory making and management.

Refuge - 13 instrumental songs.

13 instrumental songs for memory healing; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Refuge" is a 55-minute, 13-song collection of songs to help with memory healing.

I started into this album believing that during my chemo and radiation from brain cancer that memory loss was possible. I also realize that as people age, memory retention can be a struggle, so this grand experiment of putting or accessing memories in instrumental songs was a stretch. I didn't realize that the concept of "memory healing" was so theologically and philosophically challenging, many times with pop psychologists or preachers putting out promises that won't be kept. But slamming the emotional door on people is not nor will ever be the answer. This album and it's matching album in this series: "Home", is designed for groups who are doing memory work with clients. Something in the melody lines or the textures of the songs themselves might help isolate a good trigger or a bad trigger memory. At least, it supplies a texture for normal client intervention and involvement.

Home - 13 instrumental songs.

13 instrumental songs of healing; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Home" is a 57-minute, 13-song collection of songs to help slow down the pace of what you do.

More research is being developed in the area of distraction. Distraction is growing between our usage of tablets, portable phones, movies we are into, and conversations. We rob these experiences by continuing to fill our air with the different things that we give ourselves to. Despite the routines we may grow with them, you can develop depth and you can develop better listening skills, and overall tone down the things that leave you out there when your brain wants to focus and grow in its environment. These songs help a person stay with what you want to do rather than bring something new to the party. Research is just beginning, so tell us what you think. One idea is for you to create your own titles for these songs based your memories growing up.

Summer - 14 instrumental songs.

14 instrumental songs for summer and anytime enjoyment; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Summer" is a 61-minute, 14-song collection of songs to help bring back summer memories.

I titled these songs with things that were big memories for me. You might try the same. I find that summer memories are helpful to remember if your summer had a lot of moments in it for play and leisure. I grew up working at night, so summer days had the golf, walking, etc. Summer music that is non-familiar and instrumental, can help bring a peaceful time in your day when filled up with picnics and vacation planning. Summer often needs big times of stress relief, especially when fall, winter and spring continue to stack on more and more.

Fours - 11 instrumental songs.

11 instrumental upbeat songs; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Fours" is a 44-minute, 11-song collection of upbeat instrumental tunes aimed at providing "walking music" for use between classes or just adding some pep to the day.

"Fours" is a combination of hip hop clips, jazz piano, and peaceful, positive outlooks that will guide the young person into his classroom ready for what is next. When the bell rings, anxiety sets in......kids you want to want to connect with, things you want to do. Before you know it, the time is gone. Setting a routine with music makes a positive spin on the tradition of class passing and can in fact make learning better. Recent studies have shown that instrumental and neutral music (music that is unfamiliar) can in fact have great results where people are moving.

More Christmas - 13 instrumental songs.

13 instrumental Christmas songs; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"More Christmas" is a 58-minute, 13-song collection of Christmas favorites.

The Lord has gifted me with many things. One of those things is the gift back to Him at Christmastime, and I love Christmas music. When we recorded and released "Joe Hesh - Christmas", we started work right away with some of the thoughts behind "More Christmas". Some of the power and creativity went to "A Caleb Christmas" in 2004 with Aspenbreeze, but the instrumental second work was yet to be done. I think as grooves, hip hop and world beat settings have occurred in the past couple of years, it has thrown a new challenge at us. Each year, traditions get older and more stale. Christmas is becoming more than a carry over of European tradition. It is becoming an international event in music, and it is fun to watch it happen.

Thanks to so many who have believed in this. I am now a recovering brain cancer patient who never thought that this album would be finished. Blessings.

Maintain - 12 instrumental songs.

12 songs; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Maintain" is a 60-minute, 12-song collection of music designed to continue in the "Trauma Informed Music" approach. This fifth album is designed for the original set of "Trauma-Informed Music" and is focused on songs that help the listener maintain the rhythm of the day.

Focus - 14 instrumental songs.

14 "Help You Focus" songs; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Focus" is a 68-minute, 14-song collection of music designed to continue in the "Trauma Informed Music" approach. This album is the fourth in a series that is designed for the original set of "Trauma-Informed Music" and will be focused for use in schools and places where background music can help enhance the educational process.

Breeze - 15 instrumental songs.

15 "End-the-work-day" songs; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Breeze" is a 77-minute, 15-song collection of music designed as a sequel to "Dawn" in the series of trauma-informed music in a special-needs environment. Continuing in the experiment process of developing our own "life soundtrack" is this third album that is designed to help leave the workplace and engage the evening activities. A Light Jazz/New Age feel and yet less robust than "Dawn" and not nearly as quiet and sedate as "Peace". This album will mark the third album that is designed for the original set of "Trauma-Informed Music" and will be field tested in agencies, schools, and in places where music is being monitored and watched in the world of trauma research.

Dawn - 11 instrumental songs.

11 energizing songs; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Dawn" is a 60-minute, 11-song collection of music designed by request as a sequel to "Peace" in the series of trauma-informed music in a special-needs environment. "Peace" was designed to bring the listener down to and into sleep. How do we now take the traumatized soul to the morning hours and be ready in the early moments of the day? Utilizing experiment, dialogue and research, these songs have been designed and modified to fit the "wake-up" experience.

Peace - 13 instrumental songs.

13 soothing songs; recorded by Joe Hesh.

"Peace" is a 70-minute, 13-song collection of music in process that has been researched and designed therapeutically to provide music that winds down the hyper-active brain or anyone just wanting to reinstill quiet into his or her space. The album was designed to help a school that deals with children dealing with mild autism, ADHD, and other diagnoses. This version of this CD is being released in April 2013, but is still being field tested. Later versions may not sound the same due to research and experiment.

We call the albums in this series: "Trauma Informed Music" (TIM) being developed to transform the environment, the experience, and the therapeutic effect for individual and relational development. Music can change, shape and lead us to healing.

Hymns - 15 instrumental songs.

15 traditional Hymns with new arrangements; recorded by Joe Hesh and Jeff Nicholson.

This instrumental hymns album contains 15 popular hymns in various styles.

"Great hymn tunes bring back a whole ocean of experiences and memories. This

album brings some contemporary understandings and statements, both

celebrative and introspective. And, these are hymn tunes that reflect the

traditional tapestries of several churches out of several denominations and

histories, which seems to come full circle. This instrumental album aims at using different sounds and fusions that would make each song an adventure. ENJOY!"

-- Joseph McLean Hesh

Christmas - 15 original instrumental songs. 15 instrumental songs of the season

This instrumental Christmas album contains 15 popular songs in various styles ranging jazz and techo-pop to traditional piano. Released 2000.
"To me the challenge of Christmas is always understanding my current spin on my past and wondering about my next step in expectations. It is sitting back to count all my blessings and wonder how a season can be so timeless and so constantly giving. The season mixes the joyful memories of childhood (I Saw Three Ships), the soulful remembrances of celebration (I Heard the Bells), the quiet reverence and meditation of God's gift to man (We Three Kings), and the fire of mystery that God's Son brought to a hungry world (What Child is This?). I hope that this mixture of emotions sits well with you whether you are trying to open your locker or your heart; whether you are trying to endure the pain of the season or finding just a few blessings to count. You are greatly loved in God's sight, and with that loves comes more than joy of the season. Merry Christmas!"
-- Joseph McLean Hesh