Jack Rose, the guitarist for Richmond, VA group Pelt, died Saturday (December 5) of a heart attack. He was 38.
Rose, who was also a respected solo artist, occasionally playing under the alias Dr. Ragtime, was often compared to, and respected in the ranks of, earlier acoustic innovators like John Fahey and Robbie Basho. Rose's particular contribution to the development of instrumental acoustic guitar was the melding of traditional ragtime forms with a modern aesthetic.
Born in Virginia in 1971, Rose helped form Pelt in 1993. The group's first release, Brown Cyclopedia, appeared on VHF, which was subsequently home for several of Rose's other solo and group efforts.
Among his most recent releases were I Do Play Rock and Roll and the well-received The Black Dirt Sessions for Three Lobed Recordings.
In an email newsletter sent out this weekend [via Pitchfork], Three Lobed's Cory Rayborn wrote, "Jack was a warm, caring person and was always a pleasure to be around. His larger than life spirit will truly, truly be missed even moreso than his inspired musical ability. Our deepest sorrow goes out to his wife."
Rose's next solo album, Luck in the Valley, is due out via Thrill Jockey on February 23. You can hear the new track "Woodpiles on the Side of the Road" here on the label's website.
Rose, who was also a respected solo artist, occasionally playing under the alias Dr. Ragtime, was often compared to, and respected in the ranks of, earlier acoustic innovators like John Fahey and Robbie Basho. Rose's particular contribution to the development of instrumental acoustic guitar was the melding of traditional ragtime forms with a modern aesthetic.
Born in Virginia in 1971, Rose helped form Pelt in 1993. The group's first release, Brown Cyclopedia, appeared on VHF, which was subsequently home for several of Rose's other solo and group efforts.
Among his most recent releases were I Do Play Rock and Roll and the well-received The Black Dirt Sessions for Three Lobed Recordings.
In an email newsletter sent out this weekend [via Pitchfork], Three Lobed's Cory Rayborn wrote, "Jack was a warm, caring person and was always a pleasure to be around. His larger than life spirit will truly, truly be missed even moreso than his inspired musical ability. Our deepest sorrow goes out to his wife."
Rose's next solo album, Luck in the Valley, is due out via Thrill Jockey on February 23. You can hear the new track "Woodpiles on the Side of the Road" here on the label's website.
