Scroggins & Rose

Master instrumentalists Tristan Scroggins and Alisa Rose provide a touchstone for experiencing the world in the moment. Scroggins, a mandolinist and second generation bluegrass virtuoso, and Rose, a Grammy-nominated violinist, create an inviting musical atmosphere with their thoughtful, conversational arrangements and startling dynamic and emotional range. The listener is taken on a journey away from the familiar as the duo embark on adventurous improvisations that traverse the convergence of bluegrass and classical genres. The playful spontaneity of their improvising energizes performers and listeners alike, connecting them to each passing moment. Scroggins & Rose use their technical expertise and expansive knowledge of traditional music to put on world-class performances of highly nuanced and melodic tunes. With two separate lifetimes of dedication to craft, authenticity, and their individual instruments, Scroggins & Rose forge their own path which breathes new life into old traditions. 

Tristan Scroggins (tristanscroggins.com) is a bluegrass mandolin player who embodies the paradoxical relationship between progressive and traditional in bluegrass music. A second-generation performer, Scroggins learned from his father and two-time National Banjo Champion, Jeff Scroggins. In a short time, Scroggins drew attention to himself after winning multiple state-championships at a young age but quickly distinguished himself as more than just another young phenom after forming Jeff Scroggins & Colorado with his dad at age 14. Quickly, Scroggins established himself as a dynamic musician, talented performer, and dedicated teacher as the band began to tour. Now, for the past nine years, Scroggins has performed all over the world headlining festivals in the U.S., France, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, Ireland, England, Australia, and Canada Jeff Scroggins & Colorado who in 2018 were nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association's Emerging Artist of the Year Award. Scroggins himself was recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2017 when he was awarded their prestigious Momentum Award for Instrumentalist of the Year. In addition, Scroggins is a prolific composer and in 2018 was awarded 3rd place in the Mike Auldridge Instrumental Composition Competition as well as being a finalist in the International Acoustic Music Awards Instrumental Song of the Year awards in 2016. Tristan's deep understanding and wish to honor the traditions of bluegrass music can be seen in his interpretive history writing for Peghead Nation and heard in his music. This understanding is used to work within a traditional context to create personally expressive music, a talent that was fostered by his acceptance into the Acoustic Music Seminar run by Mike Marshall as part of the Savannah Music Festival in 2017. Since moving to Nashville in 2018, Scroggins’ talents have been in demand. He has recorded with Rachel Baiman, performed on the Grand Ol’ Opry with Molly Tuttle, and Opry at The Ryman Auditorium with Dailey & Vincent.

Violinist and composer Alisa Rose is a modern musician with a versatile voice that is strengthened by the diversity of her background. Having extensively studied classical chamber music as well as the rich American fiddle traditions, her playing easily navigates musical styles from Bach to improvising on fiddle themes. Besides Scroggins & Rose, she is a member of the classical RossoRose Duo, funk-based string band Supermule, extreme fiddle duo Swift Rose, and contemporary music for silent film ensemble Club Foot Orchestra. Alisa has appeared with a wide range of artists including Real Vocal String Quartet, 2008 Rockygrass winners 49 Special, and Grammy-nominated Quartet San Francisco. Alisa performed and taught throughout Eastern Europe in 2012 as an Ambassador of the State Department, and she has performed at Carnegie Hall, NPR's Weekend Edition, the historic Carter Family Fold festival, TEDx Alcatraz with Bob Weir, Song of the Mountains on PBS, as well as numerous international tours. In recent years Alisa premiered Richard Marriott's Concerto at Dartmouth College and premiered her own "Piano Trio for Luisa" as part of the Trinity Arts Chamber Music Festival. As a composer she blends American folk techniques with classical concert forms. This style can be heard on her album of cross-genre virtuoso works for solo violin entitled Fiddle Caprices and Pizzicato Pieces. Other recent compositions “Nocturne for America” for RossoRose Duo, and “Six Solo Cello Suites for Wilmington,” written with Swift Rose to tell stories of our time. Alisa teaches privately as well as at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she received her B.M. and M.M. in Chamber Music studying with Camilla Wicks and Bettina Mussumeli.