Jeremy Rose Quartet
Jeremy’s longstanding quartet has been a vehicle to explore his far ranging compositional ideas in a contemporary jazz context.
Rose has released four albums with his quartet: Face to Face, Without and Without. Sand Lines and Chiba.
"State-of-the-art acoustic jazz, impeccably performed, sanguine in nature, brimming with hope." Rhythms Music Magazine
“Buoyant invention: never seeming to flag or to want for new ideas, he is that rare thing, an improvisor you want to hear more from… Jeremy Rose is one to watch on the Australian jazz scene… “ ★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine, UK
“There is much fire and interaction to be found within their readings of the pieces which are both accessible and challenging.” The Music Trust
Saxophonist-composer Jeremy Rose’s new album and video series, Face to Face, features pianist Steve Barry, bassist Noel Mason and drummer Alex Hirlian. The album is a reflection on the connections we have with each other and the importance of real-life connection, dedicated to those that are closest to him; family, friends and loved ones.
Face to Face marks Roses’ fourth album as bandleader, a follow-up to his critically acclaimed Within & Without featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel. “This lineup has been playing regularly for the past few years,” Rose explains. “I am humbled by what each member brought to this record, and what we managed to create together. The album really captures the group at a highpoint.”
The album is a reflection on the way we connect with each other and the importance of real-life connections. Rose explains, “We live in an increasingly connected yet isolated world. Whilst we are always always reachable, many have never felt more alone. I felt like I needed to reinforce the fundamental part of what makes us human - face to face connections. It’s a musical journey that steers our spiritual compass towards connections with others and placing value in what’s important - connections we have with ourselves, each other and the wider world.”
The band premiered many of the new works after a period of writing during a lockdown in April 2020 for a live streamed performance for International Jazz Day. Rose reflects, “It was surreal coming together for the first time out of lockdown, not having played together for sometime and running some of the new material during our soundcheck. It was a bit of a whirlwind but the band handled it remarkably. There was something really special about that performance - an energy that had been pent-up for sometime.” The album was later recorded in December 2020 along with a video shoot with Rose’s long-term collaborator-videographer Edmund Renew.
Rose reflects how the album is not simply a product of being locked down but a reflection on the important things in life. “We couldn’t have created this album pre-COVID but this isn’t an iso-album or reaction to the lockdowns. This album speaks to right now, this very moment. It emphasises how grateful I am for the connections we have with one another which can’t be taken for granted. Face to Face has a little something for everyone - emotionally, intellectually and musically. There’s a range of new compositions, new grooves, new melodies and some great playing. I hope you enjoy!”
Within and Without features US guitar luminary Kurt Rosenwinkel with Berlin rhythm section of bassist Andreas Lang, drummer Tobias Backhaus, and Sydney pianist Jackson Harrison. The music was written in a time of great change in Rose’s life; the tumultuous end of a relationship, introspective travels through Morocco and Indonesia, and newfound creative inspiration. Jeremy describes the album as; “opposing forces of attraction and repulsion, joy and anguish, hope and despair, pain and ecstasy.” The album was critically acclaimed, and toured throughout Australia, Germany and Austria.
“Rose has assembled a group of players perfectly capable of understanding and interpreting these elegant works.” – 4 & 1/2 STARS THE AUSTRALIAN
“This latest recording demonstrates Rose at his best and perhaps marks a watershed moment in his composing and jazz career…. his writing is melodious, textured and considered.” – WWW.CUTCOMMONMAG.COM
“I have always been intrigued, amazed, challenged and – to be frank – totally gassed by his restless artistic nature and his consistently questing music, both as a composer and as a soloist… it is a delight to hear Rose back in the arms of (almost) straight-ahead Jazz – an added delight is to hear him rocking so sweet and heavy in those arms.” – WWW.AUSTRALIANJAZZ.NET
“The forms here quite often depart in original ways… and the jazz focus allows perhaps more licence for some high virtuosity.” – THE MUSIC TRUST
"The expansive title track has skipping propulsion without ever seeming to burn any energy, and its melody and subsequent improvising dance across this propulsion without ever touching the ground." - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD