Phil Cook’s been through some hard times and a great deal of change in the past five years.

The Durham-based piano player and songwriter’s been involved in bands since he was in high school, and his musical connections and his own talents have taken him to great heights.

But like it was for many, the pandemic years proved to be a turning point, a catalyst that altered his relationships — including a divorce — and thrust him into a period of deep reflection.

The night of April 3 at The Hamilton Live in Washington DC, Cook opened himself up to an intimate audience with his words at the microphone and by way of a front-to-back performance of his latest instrumental recording, Appalachia Borealis, released just a few weeks ago on Psychic Hotline.