“Sub rosa” is a term that immediately conjures up shadowy images of secret messages and covert operations, espionage and investigation. In truth, Jazz has always been something of a coded language, able to convey deep and complex meaning in abstract form, communicating emotions without explicit explanation.

Pianist Julian Shore delivers his own collection of clandestine communications on his compelling new album Sub Rosa, out June 6th, 2025 via Chill Tone.

Sub Rosa is the second release for Shore’s profoundly intuitive trio with bassist Martin Nevin and drummer Allan Mednard. Their 2023 self-titled debut was a largely informal affair, an impromptu session motivated by the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

Their follow-up reflects more than two years of camaraderie and evolution since that initial meeting, capturing the remarkable fluidity with which the three bandmates reshape the music in the moment. The material that Shore has penned for them is rooted in personal experience, though the composer hopes that the music speaks for itself.

“I hinted at different elements of my life in the titles of the tunes, but I never want to give the whole picture away,” Shore says. He points to an oft-quoted interview with David Lynch, in which the late film director laments having to discuss the meanings behind his cryptic narratives. “As soon as you finish a film,” he said with a wince, “people want you to talk about it. The film is the talking. It’s the whole thing.”

1. Messenger (05:21)
2. Mission (06:23)
3. Must Keep Going (06:38)
4. Beacon (03:36)
5. Blues in Blueprint (06:37)
6. All The Things You Are (03:35)
7. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulders) (06:23)
8. It Was A Dream (02:47)
9. Winter Song (07:46)
10. Pegasus (excerpt) (02:46)

This quite magically delicious and dutifully-hued new recording opens on the articulately compelling Messenger and then we get the rhythmically intriguing Mission, the expediently-sculpted Must Keep Going, and both the languishing beauty of Beacon and the low sung, late night smokey jazz vibe of Blues in Blueprint.

Recorded on August 27th-28th, 2024, along next is the spirited All The Things You Are which is in turn backed seamlessly by a delicate ambiance within Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulders), the veritably shimmering It Was A Dream, the set rounding out on the melodious seven minute Winter Song, coming to a close on an all-embracing excerpt of Pegasus.

Musicians:
Julian Shore (piano)
Martin Nevin (bass)
Allan Mednard (drums)

www.julianshore.com