Adonis Rose is a Grammy-winning jazz drummer and the Artistic Director of the prestigious New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO). The New Orleans native came from a musical family – bassist Chris Severin is his uncle – and he took to the drums at an early age, influenced by his father and the legendary James Black. Rose attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and toured with lifelong friend Nicholas Payton, with whom he has recorded half a dozen albums. He has since performed with a Who’s Who of jazz, including Betty Carter, Harry Connick, Jr., Terrence Blanchard, Marcus Roberts, Nnenna Freelon, Kurt Elling, and Wynton Marsalis. He’s played at every major jazz festival and venue across the globe, from the North Sea to New Orleans, from Carnegie Hall to Newport.  Rose has over 50 recordings to his credit, including the 2022 ballads collection, For All We Know, with his trio, (with pianist Ryan Hanselar and bassist Lex Warshawsky), and vocalist Gabrielle Cassava.

Rose is also an educator, festival producer, composer, and bandleader. He has held several Artist in Residence positions and his work with the NOJO has been hailed for the programs and partnerships he has developed, including a close relationship with Dee Dee Bridgewater.