Fiona has become known for creating her own contemporary jazz sound incorporating fast paced Latin Jazz, vintage Jazz club, a little neo soul along with heart wrenching ballads that demonstrate that "Her style is poetic and the messages ooze with Millennial angst" (Jazz weekly). She came to the worlds attention as "The artist that gave Ed Sheeran his 'first push'" (Daily Express), but has very quickly established herself as an artist in her own right and has received incredible reviews across the globe.
Fiona's new album brings an incredible line up of special guests. As a Jazz journalist, she has interviewed some incredible people (including Steve Gadd, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terri Lynne Carrington, Kyle Eastwood) and "I wanted to include some people on the album that have really inspired me as a person and as an artist. I was truly blown away that they said yes"
Maxine Gordon, renowned author, educator, Jazz advocate – and wife of Dexter Gordon – has written the sleeve notes.
Latin Grammy nominated and world-renowned bassist Snow Owl is a special guest on two tracks. Having played with artists such as Al Jarreau, Christina Aguilera, Elton John and continually referred to in many bass publications as one the most influential bassists of all times, his playing on this album is mind blowing. Fi explains "We recorded two songs in a castle, in Vienna. The same castle Snow Owl recorded his album 'The Blue Road' in. No real rehearsals, live takes. It was an overwhelming experience that I will never forget" These tracks stand alone on the album as being recorded, mixed and mastered by Snow Owl himself.
Other guests include Kim Cypher, one of the UK's most exciting female saxophonists ("Exciting stuff", Clare Teal, BBC Radio 2), is a guest on one track.
Blues guitarist, Marco Piccioni ("A force to be reckoned with", Evening Standard) is another guest.
The album is an eclectic mix of songs that all sit under the heading of Jazz. From the big band feel of the title track, to the haunting, freer ballads, to some Latin and funk – something for everyone. Fiona has indeed created her own contemporary Jazz sound that appeals to a wider audience.
“
Ross's lyric phrasing, vocal register and arrangements deliver brilliant presence and form
”“
Technical virtuosity and that raw emotional drive, of an artist at the height of her game
”“
Her talents are simply extraordinary
”
Credits
- Written, arranged and produced by Fiona Ross (Vocals, Piano)
- Gibbi Bettini (Guitar)
- Derek Daley (Bass)
- Marley Drummond (Drums)
- Loren Hignell (Sax)
- Adam Brown (Trumpet)
- Adam Hayes and Warren Woodcraft (Percussion)
- Engineered and recorded at Studio XYZ by Gibbi Bettini
- Mixed at Highfield Studio by Warren Woodcraft
- Mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering
Credits
- All songs written, arranged and produced by Fiona Ross
- Fiona Ross (Vocals and Piano)
- Guitar: Gibbi Bettini
- Bass: Derek Daley
- Drums: Marley Drummond
- Saxophones and Flute: Loren Hignell
- Trumpets: Dave Boa
- Backing vocals: Ashaine White
- Percussion: Warren Woodcraft
- Guest appearance on 'Push Me Around in a Pushchair': Nancy Richardson
- Recorded at Studio XYZ by Gibbi Bettini
- Mixed at Highfield Studio by Elliot Richardson and Warren Woodcraft
- Mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering
- Front Cover photo by Monika S Jakubowska taken at Jazz Cafe Posk, London
- Art work by Chris Cunningham
- Photos by Ron Milsom
- Liner notes by Jordannah Elizabeth
Tracklist
- When Will You Leave My Mind
- I Want To Know More
- The Small Things
- When you Walked In The Room
- A Single Source of Truth
- Push Me Around In A Pushchair
- Looking At My To Do List
- The Best Version Of Me
- The Trumpet Man
- Look What You've Become
- Always There For Me
- Positive Things
- The Don't Stop Just Breathe Ragtime
- #ThursdayThoughts
Credits
- All songs written, arranged and produced by Fiona Ross
- Fiona Ross (Vocals and Piano)
- Gibbi Bettini (Guitar and recording engineer)
- Dave Boa (Trumpet)
- Mixed at Highfield Studio by Warren Woodcraft
- Mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering
- Cover photography by Monika S Jakubowska
Tracklist
- #MondayMood
- #TuesdayThoughts
- The Choices You Made #wednesdywisdom
- How I'm Supposed To Feel #thursdayvibes
- The Best Version of Me #fridayfeeling
- When You Walked In The Room #saturdaynight
- Take Time To Breathe #sundaymorning
Red Flags and High Heels
Credits
- All songs written, arranged and produced by Fiona Ross
- Fiona Ross (Vocals and Piano)
- Gibbi Bettini (Guitar)
- Derek Daley (Bass)
- Marley Drummond (Drums)
- Loren Hignell (Saxophones)
- Dave Boa (Trumpets)
- Ashaine White (Saxophone on 'You Can Smile' and Backing Vocals)
- Simon Todd and Warren Woodcraft (Percussion)
- Band Banter: Everyone
- Special guest Kim Cypher: Saxophone on 'You Can Smile'
- Engineered and recorded at Studio XYZ by Gibbi Bettini
- Mixed at Highfield Studio by Warren Woodcraft and Elliot Richardson
- Mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering
- Album cover photo by Tatiana Gorilovsky at Craxton Studio, London, UK
Tracklist
- Red Flags and High Heels
- More Time
- When I Get Old
- Don’t Say It If You Don't Mean It
- You Can’t Feel My Groove
- Good Enough
- You Are Like Poison
- You Used To Tell Me
- I Always Saw the Red Flags
- The Apple Trees Won’t Grow Anymore
Live Bonus Tracks
- You Can Smile: Live at Studio XYZ
- I Followed My Heart: Live at St Cuthbert’s Church
- Without you: Live at The Premises
- Too Many Thoughts: Live at The Premises
'Black, White and a Little Bit of Grey', explores the story of a husband, a wife, and a mistress: a web of emotions, of desires, of regrets, of ecstasy. Situations are not always as clear-cut as they may appear as allegiances shift and betrayals become serpentine - not everything is black and white. Sometimes - when the victim becomes hazy, when pain and passion become intertwined — there's 'a Little Bit of Grey.
Credits
- Written, arranged and produced by Fiona Ross
- Fiona Ross (Piano and vocals)
- Gibbi Bettini (guitar)
- Derek Daley (bass)
- Marley Drummond (drums)
- Kris Buzow (saxophone)
- Simon Todd (congas)
- The album was recorded at Studio XYZ
- Mixed at Highfield Studios
- Mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering
Tracklist
- Black, White and a Little Bit of Grey
- Busy... Always Busy
- Touch Me, You Make Me Feel So
- This Chemistry
- The Poor Wife
- The Sex
- Mistress*
- So Cold
- The Evidence Suggests
- That Moment
- I Broke The Rules*
*live vocal take recorded in a stairwell