Blu-Escape album cover artwork by jazz pianist and visual artist Hank Hehmsoth featuring abstract painting with geometric lines and a blue doorway composition.

Blu-Escape — Two Years Later

Listen / Watch / Album Information

Blu-Escape is a recording and interdisciplinary art project by pianist and composer Hank Hehmsoth and the Double Vision Jazz Ensemble, documented here two years after its SXSW 2024 premiere.

Why This Project Matters

Originally released in 2024, Blu-Escape grew beyond a recording project into a broader artistic initiative involving performances, broadcasts, reviews, visual artwork, and interdisciplinary programming. This page documents the project two years later as part of the ongoing archive of recordings, performances, exhibitions, and creative work.

Production & Audio

Mixed in high-resolution audio by Chris Bell.
Mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Oli Morgan in 24-bit/96 kHz Hi-Res and Dolby Atmos formats.

Personnel

Hank Hehmsoth — piano, compositions
John Mills — saxophone, flute
Utah Hamrick — bass
Aaron Easley — drums

Produced by Hank Hehmsoth
Cover artwork by Hank Hehmsoth

This project was supported in part by a 2024 Creative Research Enhancement Program Award from Texas State University.

Press & Reviews

Blu-Escape received national and regional press
coverage, radio broadcasts, interviews, and
reviews following its release and SXSW premiere in 2024.

Related Projects & Archive Pages

Blu-Escape is part of a larger body of work connecting recordings, performances, visual art, residencies, and interdisciplinary projects.

Listen Reviews Timeline

Radio & Television

Related Performances

Apple Music Spotify Qobuz YouTube

Timeline 2024–2026

Date Event Location / Notes
Mar 14, 2024 SXSW Album Premiere Blu-Escape premiered during the Double Vision Jazz Showcase — Elephant Room, Austin, Texas
Apr 9, 2024 Jazz in Family Interview Italy — Interview discussing Blu-Escape, composition process, and visual art connections
2024 SiriusXM Real Jazz Broadcast Tracks from Blu-Escape broadcast on SiriusXM Real Jazz — host Andromeda Turre
Jun 6, 2024 Monks Jazz Club All-Star Jazz Show Double Vision performed Blu-Escape repertoire — Austin, Texas
2024 Elephant Room Residency Monthly Double Vision residency featuring Blu-Escape repertoire and new compositions
Mar 14, 2025 All About Jazz Song of the Day The track “Blu-Escape” selected as Song of the Day
Mar 31, 2025 Texas State University Supple Music Series Double Vision concert featuring Blu-Escape repertoire
Apr 2025 World of Jazz Broadcast Bob Osborne — Different Noises series featuring “Cabo”
Jul 16, 2025 KZSM Radio Feature Program “It’s What’s New” featuring Blu-Escape recordings
Nov 2025 L.A. Jazz Scene Review Review by Scott Yanow highlighting compositions and visual art connection
Feb 3, 2026 Brazosport College Residency Concert Seeing Sound / Hearing Color residency performance and exhibition project
2026 City of Austin Elevate Grant H Project Performing Arts Association — support for Double Vision and interdisciplinary projects
Ongoing Performances, exhibitions, and archive documentation Blu-Escape interdisciplinary project continues

Album Description

Blu-Escape is a quartet album of original compositions by pianist and composer Hank Hehmsoth, performed by the Double Vision Jazz Ensemble and premiered at SXSW 2024 in Austin, Texas. The album features nine original compositions and is closely connected to Hehmsoth’s abstract visual artwork, combining music and visual art as part of a larger interdisciplinary project.

Release Information

Official release: March 14, 2024
SXSW Jazz Showcase — Elephant Room, Austin, Texas
Catalog Number: TSF-003
Label: Time Space Fabrics ℗ Time Space Fabrics, 2024

Track List

  1. Blu-Escape — 5:34

  2. Chernobyl Cha Cha — 4:55

  3. Phooie — 5:29

  4. Sophie’s Danse — 5:19

  5. Code Blue — 4:58

  6. Unwritten — 6:02

  7. Cabo — 6:08

  8. Turquoise Rendezvous — 5:18

  9. Roomba’s Rumble — 6:23

Reviews & Articles

Interviews & Artist Profiles