Grammy Award-winning drummer, composer, producer, and educator Adonis Rose presents Unusual Suspects, featuring the extraordinary vocalist Phillip Manuel, set for release on February 27, 2026, via Moocha Music. From the very first note, this project establishes itself as a standout in contemporary jazz, offering a masterclass in musicianship, arrangement, and emotional depth.
The ensemble features Adonis Rose on drums, Phillip Manuel on vocals, Max Moran on bass, Seth Finch on piano/Fender Rhodes, Steve Masakowski on guitar, Ricardo Pascal on tenor/soprano saxophones, and Stephen Lands on trumpet. The arrangements, crafted by Manuel and longtime collaborator Michael Pellera, balance instrumental virtuosity with the emotional weight of each song. Manuel’s rich, singular voice — reminiscent of legends like Johnny Hartman and Andy Bey yet entirely his own — shines alongside a sextet performing at the top of their craft.
Recorded in the summer of 2025 at Artisound Studios in New Orleans, the album transforms classic instrumentals and jazz standards into lyrical treasures. Highlights include Lee Morgan’s Party Time, Peter Martin’s The Unusual Suspects, Steve Masakowski’s Sixth Ward Strut, Joe Sample’s The Road Less Traveled and I’ll Love You, as well as original compositions by Manuel and Pellera. The collection is rounded out with swinging takes on Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Bill Withers’ Hello Like Before.
New Orleans runs in Rose’s veins. Hailing from a family of legendary musicians, including his father Vernon Severin and grandfather Wilfred “Crip” Severin Jr., Rose’s drumming embodies the spirit, culture, and rhythm of the Crescent City. His career includes performances and recordings with Terence Blanchard, Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Roberts, Harry Connick Jr., and Wynton Marsalis, as well as appearances on stages such as Carnegie Hall, the North Sea Jazz Festival, Apollo Theater, Newport Jazz Festival, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Rose has over fifty recordings to his credit and currently serves as Artistic Director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO), where he develops educational and community programs.
Phillip Manuel, a native of New Orleans, brings decades of experience performing worldwide and interpreting classics from Nat “King” Cole to James Taylor, Ellington, and Gershwin. His collaboration with Rose spans years of live performances and recordings, including NOJO projects. Manuel considered retiring before Rose encouraged him to continue, and the result is this extraordinary recording.
Unusual Suspects is a celebration of artistry, musical heritage, and the enduring power of collaboration, offering listeners an immersive jazz experience that honors New Orleans’ rich musical lineage while presenting fresh, vocal-driven interpretations of beloved classics.
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