Adonis Rose | Live at JazzAscona

Grammy Award-winning drummer and bandleader Adonis Rose brings the vibrant spirit of New Orleans jazz to the shores of Switzerland’s Lake Maggiore with Live at JazzAscona, an engaging recording captured during the 2025 JazzAscona Festival. Leading an outstanding seven-piece ensemble, Rose delivers a spirited collection that celebrates the compositions of Gregg Hill while incorporating works by jazz greats Keith Jarrett and Billy Strayhorn. The recording features Rose on drums, Phillip Manuel on vocals, Ashlin Parker on trumpet, Miles Berry on tenor saxophone, Rex Gregory on alto saxophone, Seth Finch on piano, and Max Moran on bass. Manuel’s soulful, expressive vocals bring warmth and personality to the proceedings, complemented by the ensemble’s sophisticated arrangements and infectious swing. Gregory’s arrangements provide an appealing framework for the musicians, allowing the music to move comfortably between hard-driving passages, blues-inflected grooves, and more reflective moments. Rose’s dynamic yet tasteful drumming anchors the performances, providing the rhythmic foundation for a group whose collective musicianship reflects the rich musical traditions of New Orleans. Produced by Rose and Hill, the recording captures the spontaneity and excitement of a live jazz performance while highlighting the melodic imagination of Hill’s compositions. The result is an entertaining and musically rewarding collection that celebrates the enduring appeal of straight-ahead jazz and the creative spirit of musicians performing at the top of their craft.