Colin Heshmat is a jazz pianist based in New York City. He has played at clubs and sessions across the country, including established New York City hot spots such as Fat Cat, The Knickerbocker Bar and Grill, and Hotel NH Collection on Madison Avenue. He has played with the likes of Dick Oatts, Bobby Broom, Winard Harper, and the late Roy Hargrove. Influenced by pianists such as Horace Silver, Sonny Clark, and Bud Powell, Colin focuses on repertoire inspired by the straight-ahead jazz tradition. Prior to moving to New York, Colin grew up in Springfield, Illinois and studied engineering and music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has studied under pianists including Barry Harris, Donald Vega, and Fred Hersch.