| Jazz |
Annaliesa Rose – Home Is Where the Heart Is: A Warm and Sophisticated Contemporary Jazz Journey
Home Is Where the Heart Is, the new release by Australian vocalist, composer and arranger Annaliesa Rose, is an album that touches listeners through something very personal and enduring: sincerity. Warm, elegant, and deeply human, it is an album that celebrates travel, friendship, belonging and the universal search for a place one can truly call home.
Recorded at the prestigious Czech Television Music Studio in Prague and featuring exceptional jazz musicians, this thirteen-track collection marks an important milestone in Rose’s career. Following her 2021 debut Is That Jazz?, this second album broadens her artistic horizons while confirming her strengths as both a vocalist and songwriter.
The title itself provides the key to understanding the album. Inspired by extensive travels through Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, Rose discovered that home is not necessarily a geographical location. Rather, it is a feeling: a sense of freedom, peace, belonging and connection that can accompany us wherever we go. This idea runs throughout the recording like a subtle thread, giving the album a coherence that extends beyond its varied musical styles.
Musically, Home Is Where the Heart Is embraces a rich spectrum of jazz traditions. Swing, blues, bossa nova, ballads and modern jazz coexist naturally, creating a programme that feels both diverse and remarkably unified. The acoustic setting allows every nuance to shine, while the international ensemble contributes a distinctly European elegance to the overall sound.
The supporting musicians deserve considerable praise. Czech jazz legend Emil Viklický brings decades of experience and a wonderfully lyrical touch to the piano. His playing is consistently imaginative, sensitive and deeply musical. Bassist Petr Dvorský and drummer Tomáš Hobzek provide a rhythmic foundation that is both sophisticated and flexible, while saxophonist Andy Schofield contributes beautifully shaped solos that enrich the album’s melodic landscape without ever overshadowing the singer.
At the centre of everything stands Annaliesa Rose herself. Her voice is warm, expressive and refreshingly natural. Rather than relying on vocal acrobatics, she communicates through phrasing, storytelling and emotional authenticity. She possesses the rare ability to make each song feel personal, whether interpreting a classic standard or presenting one of her own compositions.
The album opens confidently with “Trust in Me”, one of Rose’s original songs. It immediately establishes the welcoming atmosphere that characterises the entire recording. There is a sense of openness and optimism that invites listeners into her musical world.
Among the original compositions, the title track “Home Is (Where the Heart Is)” naturally occupies a special place. More than simply another song in the programme, it serves as the album’s emotional centrepiece. Inspired by Rose’s travels and personal reflections, the piece captures a universal truth that resonates far beyond the artist’s own experience. The melody is memorable, the lyrics heartfelt, and the performance filled with genuine conviction. It is one of those songs that feels simultaneously intimate and universal.
Another original, “Jdeme Na Plaz”, reflects Rose’s affection for the Czech Republic, the country to which she dedicates the album. It illustrates how successfully she has integrated her personal experiences into her songwriting, creating music that feels rooted in real encounters and genuine relationships rather than abstract concepts.
The programme also includes a thoughtful selection of standards and lesser-known gems. “Since I Fell for You”, the timeless blues ballad first popularized by Ella Johnson, receives a sensitive and soulful reading. Rose avoids over-dramatization, allowing the song’s emotional honesty to speak for itself.
The inclusion of “Beauty and the Beast” might initially surprise jazz listeners, but it proves to be one of the album’s most touching moments. Freed from its cinematic context, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s beloved melody reveals its enduring strength as a song. Knowing the poignant story behind Ashman’s final years and the emotional depth embedded in the composition adds another layer of meaning to Rose’s interpretation.
The Czech-English version of “Blue Skies” is another highlight. By combining Irving Berlin’s classic with Jiří Traxler’s Czech adaptation, Rose creates a musical bridge between cultures that perfectly reflects the spirit of the entire album. It is a clever and heartfelt gesture that reinforces the project’s international character.
The collaboration with Emil Viklický on “I Know You Know” further strengthens the connection between Australian and Czech jazz traditions. Viklický’s compositional voice fits naturally within the album’s aesthetic, and Rose approaches the piece with evident respect and enthusiasm.
Particularly moving is “Too Soon”, dedicated to Australian saxophonist and arranger Niels Rosendahl. The performance carries an understated emotional weight that makes it one of the album’s most memorable moments.
The closing track, “Smile”, provides a perfect conclusion. Charlie Chaplin’s immortal melody has been interpreted countless times, yet Rose manages to bring freshness and sincerity to this beloved standard. The song’s central message, that hope can survive even during difficult times, echoes the album’s broader themes of resilience, gratitude and joy.
Indeed, Smile feels almost like a summary of the album’s emotional philosophy. Chaplin’s lyrics remind us that tomorrow may hold brighter possibilities if we can maintain hope and openness. In many ways, Rose’s own title track expresses a similar idea. Both songs suggest that happiness is not necessarily dependent on circumstances or location but can emerge from our inner capacity for connection, acceptance and gratitude.
This thematic coherence is one of the album’s greatest strengths. Despite its stylistic variety, Home Is Where the Heart Is never feels like a random collection of songs. Instead, it unfolds like a personal diary transformed into music, each track representing a different chapter in a journey toward self-understanding and belonging.
The production is equally successful. Recorded in Prague with excellent sound quality, the album captures both the intimacy of chamber jazz and the spaciousness required for its more expansive moments. Every instrument is beautifully balanced, allowing listeners to appreciate the subtle interplay between voice and ensemble.
What ultimately makes Home Is Where the Heart Is so appealing is its generosity of spirit. This is an album created by an artist who clearly loves both jazz and people, who values connection over display and storytelling over self-promotion. The result is a recording that feels authentic from beginning to end.
With Home Is Where the Heart Is, Annaliesa Rose delivers a sophisticated and deeply enjoyable contemporary jazz album that successfully balances originals and standards, personal reflection and universal themes. It is a musical postcard from a traveller who has discovered that home is not merely a destination but a state of mind.
A beautifully crafted album filled with heart, elegance and genuine humanity. For jazz lovers looking for warmth, melody and emotional sincerity, this is a journey well worth taking.
Frankie Pfeiffer
Editor in chief – PARIS-MOVE
PARIS-MOVE, August 3rd, 2026
Follow PARIS-MOVE on X
::::::::::::::::::::::::
Musicians:
Annaliesa Rose: vocals
Emil Viklický: piano
Petr Dvorský: bass
Tomáš Hobzek: drums
Andy Schofield: alto saxophone
Tracklisting:
Trust in Me (A. Rose composition)
Benny’s From Heaven (J. Burke/ A. Johnston/ E. Jefferson)
Home Is (Where The Heart Is) (A. Rose composition)
Modré Nebe/ Blue Skies (I. Berlin/ J. Traxler)
I Know You Know (E. Viklický/ I. Ryall)
Too Soon (D. Zaremba/ R. Eckert) (Dedicated to Niels Rosendahl)
Jdeme Na Plaz (A. Rose composition)
Beauty And The Beast (A, Menken/ H. Ashman)
Since I Fell For You (B. Johnson)
Feelin’ Fine (D. DeAndrea/ O. Hayes III)
Moon River/ Mesicni Reka (H. Mancini/ J. Mercer/ K. Jelinek)
Pair Of Little Shoes (A. Rose composition)
Smile (C. Chaplin/ J. Turner/ G. Parsons)