Fiona Ross - Fierce and Non Compliant (2019)

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 world’s 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 Maxine Gordon, 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 Anotonio Sanchez, Hans Zimmer, and 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.

Adam Cooper ‘the sexiest man in dance’, award-winning dancer, choreographer, and director, sings a duet, returning to their school days when Fiona and Adam use to sneak out of class, break into a rehearsal room and sing Gershwin songs together.

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.