The Last Dream of the Old Oak

Hear your favorite holiday songs in this special Rose Classic edition featuring The Markus Rutz Jazz Trio, recorded in 2021.

A majestic old oak contemplates the cycle of life in this poignant fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, featuring the vocal artistry of Helen Hayes award-winning actor Rick Foucheux, alongside the signature sounds of Chicago trumpeter, Markus Rutz and his collaborator at the keys, pianist Adrian Ruiz.

A tribute to award-winning journalist, war correspondent, published poet and The Rose Poet Laureate, Tom Squitieri. A writer and journalist for over 30 years, Tom had been on all seven continents and more than two thirds of the nations on earth. Featured in this episode is one of the last pieces he wrote before his untimely death on September 1, 2024, alongside the vocal artistry of Christopher Lane and the musical composition “Burgundy Trees - A Waltz for Tom,” written, composed and performed by Richard C. Washer.  

When Roger Havering requests the services of Hercule Poirot, who is ill in bed with the flu, to investigate the murder of his uncle at his hunting lodge in Derbyshire, the great Belgian detective must turn to Captain Hastings to be his “eyes and ears” to solve the puzzling case.  The fourth short story from Agatha Christie’s collection Poirot Investigates “The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge” features acclaimed DC actor and vocal artist David Bryan Jackson, with musical renditions of Irving Berlin’s classic “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” by jazz trumpeter Markus Rutz and his musical collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

Transformative prose swirls around the meaning of life and loss from playwright, poet and composer, Richard C. Washer. Featured performances include: the vocal artistry of Ray Ficca, David Bryan Jackson, Christopher Lane plus the lyrically infused new title track “Threads Unsewn” composed, and sung by Richard C. Washer along with his musical group The Gamut.

“A Message to Garcia” is a widely distributed essay written by Elbert Hubbard in 1899, extolling the value of individual initiative and conscientiousness in work as seen through the example of an American soldier delivering a crucial letter from President McKinley to the leader of Cuban insurgents “somewhere in the mountain vastnesses of Cuba.”  Although not without controversy and historical inaccuracies, the essay continues to be a popular missive on leadership and dedication in the face of adversity.  Performances featured in this episode include the vocal artistry of Christopher Lane and the iconic trumpet sounds of Markus Rutz alongside his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.

Captain Hastings meets a couple at a party who have just rented a flat in London’s most fashionable district for an implausibly cheap price. Poirot is intrigued and sets out to investigate. The third short story from Agatha Christie’s collection Poirot Investigates “The Adventure of the Cheap Flat” features acclaimed DC actor and vocal artist, David Bryan Jackson, with musical renditions of Irving Berlin’s classic “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” performed by jazz trumpeter Markus Rutz and his musical collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

Chapter 16 of what is now considered Ernest Hemingway’s greatest work, portraying American and British expatriates who travel from Paris to the Festival of San Fermin to watch the running of the bulls and the bullfights.  Rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, the episode features signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

Acclaimed Helen Hayes award-winning actor Rick Foucheux, shares his memoir of growing up with a bigger than life instrument in small town Louisiana.

Chapter 15 of what is now considered Ernest Hemingway’s greatest work, portraying American and British expatriates who travel from Paris to the Festival of San Fermin to watch the running of the bulls and the bullfights.  Rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, the episode features signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.