Debut album launch in Inverness will put Nairn pianist centre stage
A Nairn pianist is set to release her debut album this week - with a concert in Inverness to mark the launch.
Kenna Ross (27) is a professional piano player and has been a session musician for local and international acts for a decade, playing popular festivals such as Belladrum, Celtic Connections, Montreal Jazz & Lollapalooza Paris.
On Friday, she will be releasing her album titled In The Moment, an instrumental album recorded at the Wee Studio on the Isle of Lewis with folk and Scottish influences.
She said: “I am really excited about it. I really wasn’t expecting to do much about it, it started just as me wanting to write and record some of my songs.
“It was the end of lockdown when I really started to enjoy composing and received lovely feedback from friends in the music industry.
“After visiting Keith Morrison at the Wee Studio in April 2023, I knew I had to record there.
“I didn’t plan to make much noise about it but then it kind of snowballed.”
To launch her new album, Kenna will be celebrating with back-to-back gigs at Eden Court Under Canvas in Inverness this Sunday, with a full band of session musicians she has met throughout her career.
She will also be playing with the band at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival later this month, billed under her name for her first time - rather than a band name.
She said: “I have played with many bands over the years, and I have always enjoyed being in the background, so it will be different playing on stage while being at the front!”
She said that her experience in the annual charity dance contest Strictly Inverness earlier this year has boosted her more confidence and that it was good practice to be the centre of attention.
She said: ”My career was always about supporting other musicians, I never really had the confidence to record my own original music.
“The whole process has been an absolute dream and I can’t wait to share the album with everyone! I am very curious to hear what people do when they listen to it - maybe reading, walking or studying, or before going to sleep.”
She said the music offering in Nairn was really important for her.
“I used to go to Music Nairn concerts with my mum, and it was just great to have such talented people performing here. Lately, The Bandstand is probably leading the music scene in Nairn, and I particularly love their open mic sessions - although I have never performed in one.”
Tickets for her Eden Court sets - one at 2pm and the other at 5.30pm - can be purchased on Eden Court’s website.