Tom Ashbrook’s latest piano piece, “The Blue Hour,” is a testament to his remarkable talent as a neo-classical artist and composer. With this track and accompanying live performance, Ashbrook showcases his ability to create music that is both touching and vulnerable, capturing the essence of human emotions with delicate precision.
Accompanying the single is a visually stunning live performance by Ashbrook himself which he describes as “An improvisation session recorded to cassete within the blue hour, the end of the day in this beautiful calm space. Bookended with a couple of my favourite pieces from the album ‘dusk’ and The blue hour. Exploring this time of day and space and colour palette improvising with the U3 upright in mono alongside the Juno 60 synthesiser, two of my main keyboards I write with. ”
This performance serves to enhance and capture the beauty of the track in a unique and captivating way. In his own words, Ashbrook describes the live performance as an improvisation session recorded during the blue hour, the serene and calm end of the day. This intimate setting allows him to explore the colors and emotions associated with this time of day, creating a mesmerizing experience for the viewer.
Tom Ashbrook’s musical journey began with classical piano training, which laid the foundation for his appreciation of emotive storytelling through music. Drawing inspiration from film soundtracks, he skillfully incorporates these techniques into his own songwriting, resulting in a diverse and impressive collection of music.
One of the defining characteristics of Ashbrook’s artistry is his willingness to collaborate with other musicians. His collaborations with emerging talents such as Julia Church and AmyElle have resulted in exceptional tracks like “Souvenir” and “Tom Tune.” These collaborations demonstrate Ashbrook’s versatility and his ability to seamlessly blend his sound with diverse genres, showcasing his adaptability as an artist.
“The Blue Hour” is said to capture “the fleeting moment just before sunrise and just after sunset, a time when the sun dips below the horizon”. Ashbrook artfully encapsulates this moment in a melody that is simple, yet deeply impactful. The composition’s form and harmony create a tranquil backdrop that settles the mind and invites listeners into a state of complete meditation.
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