Moments in My Notebook Out May 30 – Tour Begins May 31
Fiona Ross has never followed convention—and she’s not about to start now. The genre-defying vocalist, pianist, composer, producer, and journalist will release her ambitious new album, Moments in My Notebook, on May 30, 2025, marking a monumental career milestone: her 100th original song.
Anchored by the compelling singles “Let Your Soul Shine” and “I Don’t Want Money”, the album is a sweeping journey through jazz-fueled storytelling that spans 21 tracks—each one a snapshot from her creative life. It’s a record that seamlessly weaves vulnerability, grit, Latin rhythms, and soulful rebellion into a textured mosaic of voice, sound, and emotion.
A Life Lived in Lyrics
Fiona Ross is best known for carving out her own lane in the contemporary jazz world, mixing vintage club cool with modern edge, and Latin jazz with socially conscious storytelling. Her artistry has earned international acclaim not just for her music, but also for her advocacy, leadership, and work as a music journalist. She was the former head of the British Academy of New Music’s artist development program, where she mentored young artists—most notably a pre-fame Ed Sheeran.
Whether it’s through her work as founder of Women in Jazz Media or her boundary-pushing albums, Ross has established herself as a fearlessly original voice in the industry, known for tackling everything from mental health and societal issues to personal grief and triumph with elegance and edge.
“I still write everything in notebooks,” she says of the album’s concept. “Some songs started with a bass line, some with a lyric, some from something I overheard in a café. This album is 21 moments from those pages—21 moments in my life.”
Inside Moments in My Notebook
The project features both new material and songs penned decades ago—giving them their long-awaited moment to breathe. The result is a dynamic, genre-blending collection: from the intimate hush of a midnight ballad to the vibrant pulse of Latin percussion.
-
“Let Your Soul Shine” was born after a serendipitous encounter at a market stall. “I saw a sign that said it, and the song poured out of me in ten minutes,” Ross says. The track is a radiant anthem of resilience and self-worth.
-
“I Don’t Want Money” channels the eternal creative struggle: “Wouldn’t it be nice to just make music without thinking about the cost?” It’s Ross at her most raw and real.
-
“Pirates in Paris” is a jazz-meets-poetry love letter to artistic freedom, inspired by her long-standing relationship with the French capital.
-
“Voices Unheard” is a powerful call for recognition, naming cultural and historical giants like Melba Liston, James Baldwin, Mary Lou Williams, and Ida B. Wells.
A standout moment on the album is “China Told Me: The Live Session,” a song inspired by vocal powerhouse China Moses. Rehearsed and recorded in a single day with an all-female and non-binary ensemble, the track features members of J Steps, an award-winning group of under-18 jazz musicians founded by Hannah Horton. “This session was magical,” Ross says. “It’s meant to be heard and seen—watch for the video in June.”
A Stellar Cast of Collaborators
Moments in My Notebook boasts a rich sonic palette thanks to its diverse cast of collaborators:
-
Gibbi Bettini (guitar)
-
Derek Daley (bass)
-
Marley Drummond (drums)
-
Loren Hignell (sax, clarinet, flutes)
-
Simon Todd (percussion)
-
Dave Boa (trumpet)
Plus guest appearances by:
-
Charlotte Keeffe, Laura Impallomeni, Migdalia van Der Hoven, Diana Torti, and Hannah Horton
Engineered and mastered across multiple studios, the album blends the spontaneity of live performance with the precision of meticulous composition.
“100 Songs” – A Full-Circle Moment
The album closes with “100 Songs,” a touching, introspective piece that reflects on legacy, time, and loss. “What would my parents say if they were here?” Ross asks. “Would they be proud? Would they understand what I’ve built?”
It’s a deeply human question—and a fitting close to a project about the moments that shape us.
Tour Dates – Experience It Live
To celebrate the release, Fiona Ross is heading on tour in the UK and Europe. Don’t miss your chance to witness these songs come to life on stage.
Fiona Ross – 2025 Tour Dates:
-
May 31, 2025 – Highworth Jazz Festival, UK
-
June 4, 2025 – Soul Mama, London, UK (Album Launch Show)
-
August 16, 2025 – Acorn Theatre, Cornwall, UK
-
September 13, 2025 – Hampstead Jazz Club, London, UK
No comments:
Post a Comment