ARIA award-winning saxophonist-composer Jeremy Rose and his 17-piece Earshift Orchestra launch their third album, Discordia, an enthralling reflection on contemporary life through sophisticated large ensemble composition. Described as “a creative force with which to reckon” (All About Jazz) and “a pivotal figure” (NYC Jazz Record), Rose demonstrates his commitment to tackling complex themes through immersive and at times wild symphonic writing, showcasing his ingenuity and ability to push the boundaries of the traditional big band format.

“Superbly recorded, Discordia shows that inventive composers continue to find ways for orthodox big bands to escape tiresome conventions. Really, the sky’s the limit – as it is in contemporary interpretations of the concept of truth!” John Shand, The Music Trust

Deriving its name from the Latin term ‘Vera Discordia,’ meaning “discordant truths,” the album illuminates the paradoxes of our information era. It explores the dangerous implications of misinformation, exacerbated by the burgeoning capabilities of AI technology, as well as the relentless human pursuit of truth.

“I’ve witnessed first-hand the division that can arise when personal realities diverge drastically from the truth,” says Jeremy Rose, “With ‘Discordia,’ I aim to shed light on this issue and the potential dangers of a society increasingly steeped in falsehoods.” The album thus serves as a musical commentary on our times, embracing a somber tone, while simultaneously nurturing slivers of hope.

Continuing their fruitful collaboration from “Disruption!,” the prodigious drummer Chloe Kim returns to contribute her virtuosic skills to the project. The Earshift Orchestra features some of Sydney’s most creative and talented emerging artists, including brothers Tom Avgenicos (trumpet) and Michael Avgenicos (saxophone), bassist Jacques Emery, pianist Novak Manojlovic, guitarist Hilary Geddes and trombonist James Macaulay. Rose is also featured on soprano saxophone and bass clarinet on two tracks.

Jeremy Rose is an ARIA award-winning saxophonist, composer, and band leader. He has released over twenty albums with his various projects and is widely known for his work with The Vampires. He has had notable collaborations with the members of The Necks, and has worked with guitarists Lionel Loueke and Kurt Rosenwinkel. His ensemble, The Earshift Orchestra, renowned for its dynamic performances and exploration of complex themes, has earned critical acclaim for its innovative contributions to large ensemble composition. The groups’ debut album, Iron in the Blood (2016, ABCJazz) was an adaptation of Robert Hughes’ book The Fatal Shore, featured at the 2020 Sydney Festival. Disruption! The Voice of Drums (2022, Earshift Music) was a thrilling tribute to the timeless, visceral and disruptive power of the drum, featuring drum virtuosi Simon Barker and Chloe Kim. The album received international critical acclaim and won the 2022 APRA/AMCOS Art Music Award for Jazz/Improvised Music Performance of the Year.

• This extraordinary album deserves as many accolades as possible - The Australian
• The large ensemble he conducts and composes for on his latest recording is a proper “big band” that deserves comparison to Maria Schneider’s band: for all its size.. it plays with both power and light transparency... The writing is consistently ear-catching… the indie-rock big band is now practically a thing!  - PopMatters US, (Will Layman), The Best New Jazz of Winter 2024
• Discordia is a commanding work.  This is music that feels "alive", even in the studio, with an original approach to the "traditional" Big Band sound.  Listen closely; you might hear tinges of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra and the work of Bob Brookmeyer and Jim McNeely.  No fake news here –– Jeremy Rose & the Earshift Orchestra is a force to be reckoned with. - Step Tempest (US)

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