Now based in Asheville, North Carolina, Rose draws on the city’s mix of bluegrass, jam and jazz traditions. The music reflects that blend, combining melodic writing with looser structures shaped in performance. “I wanted to make an album that combined those flavours… with straight ahead NYC jazz,” he explains, bringing together elements of funk, groove-led writing and swing within a cohesive band setting.

Recorded with minimal takes and little pre-arranged material, the session leans into immediacy over refinement. “We hadn’t worked out the intros and endings before the session,” Rose says. “Hopefully the recording captures that freshness.” The result is a document of real-time interaction, where arrangements emerge naturally and the band’s character develops across the takes.

The quartet features bassist Steve LaSpina, drummer Jeff Sipe, and keyboardist Taylor Pierson, each bringing a distinct musical perspective. LaSpina’s background includes work with Stan Getz, Chet Baker and Jim Hall, while Sipe’s experience in the experimental and jam band circuit alongside the likes of John McLaughlin and Trey Anastasio adds a more open, unpredictable edge. Pierson, a regular presence across Asheville’s live scene, anchors the group with a flexible harmonic approach.

Tracks such as “Haywood Commons” reflect the local scene directly, drawing on the energy of West Asheville’s live music culture. Elsewhere, the material shifts between defined themes and more exploratory passages, with groove and interaction at the centre of the record’s sound.

Originally from Philadelphia, Rose developed his approach through jazz studies at the Philadelphia Clef Club and later at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. His work spans performance, composition, and production across jazz, film, and independent music.

With this release, Rose brings those experiences into a project that feels direct and unfiltered – rooted in collaboration, shaped by place, and driven by the possibilities of the moment.