The atmosphere in Foundry 616 for this performance brought back memories of many great nights in jazz clubs of the past. There was a packed house, a warm and bustling atmosphere and, courtesy of the launch of the Jeremy Rose Quartet’s new album Face To Face, a sense of anticipation that excellent music would be heard.

Foundry’s owner Peter Rechniewski set the tone of the evening by introducing saxophonist Jeremy Rose, not merely as a fine musician, but also as an important activist. Through his record label Earshift Music, established in 2009, Rose has had a substantial influence on Australian jazz. Earshift has released 68 contemporary jazz albums, “reflecting the next generation of talent from the Australian jazz scene”, as its mission statement declares, “hell-bent on shaping new unique voices and pushing the very definition of what jazz can be and can achieve”.

Jeremy Rose Quartet at the launch of the Face to Face album. Photo © sonicsydney

Other than Rose on saxophones and bass clarinet, the quartet contained three outstanding musicians: Steve Barry (piano), Noel Mason (double bass) and Alex Hirlian (drums). Over two sets, their program included...