An Enchanting Evening ‘Under Canvas’ at Eden Court: Kenna Ross’s Mesmerising Album Launch ‘In the Moment’.
Under Canvas, Eden Court, Inverness. 14 July 2024.
Words and pictures by Alan Cruickshank
Here I am again at Eden Court’s superb “Under Canvas” sessions listening to another superb sound scape of music but this time courtesy of the wonderful Kenna Ross’s new album launch called, In the Moment.
First up though was Scott C Park who would later join Kenna and her band on stage playing acoustic Guitar and Banjo.
Self-described as a Hebridean slacker – country troubadour, Scott touched on Covid, religion and a relationship breakdown with a younger sibling in his set, some of his songs were humorous but some were more than tinged with sadness with sharp honesty thrown in to the mix, but it must be said that all of the above was well accepted and found favour with the audience.
You can catch Scott (and I recommend you do) at HebCelt from the 17th-20th July, also at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh August 25th.
Kenna Ross is a well-known respected musician to all in the local music scene; she has show-cased her wonderful talent with many local bands through the years and has earned immense respect from them all.
As expected this is not an album with vocals, it is instead a superb sound scape showing Kenna’s exquisite educated touch on the ivories and has used her knowledge of the local music scene to gather superb musicians around her to help achieve this beautiful album.
Adam Goemans (bass) and Blair Mackenzie (drums) was a perfect match both being very experienced in their own craft and working together brilliantly. Along with Luke Radford (working the brass) Kate Macleod (strings) and of course Scott C Park (banjo & guitar) Kenna knew who she brought together to collaborate on her album and why, every band member was just perfect for this album.
I have heard Kenna sing harmonies previously, I wonder if we will get to hear her lovely delicate voice front and centre one day? I hope so.
Jenna’s debut, In The Moment includes 8 instrumental (piano-based), folk-inspired original tracks, all recorded at the award-winning Wee Studio in the Isle of Lewis. Kenna Ross is a professional piano player based in Nairn in the Scottish Highlands. For 10 years she has been a session musician for both local and international acts – playing popular festivals such as Belladrum, Celtic Connections, Montreal Jazz & Lollapalooza Paris.
Kenna explained the road to her debut album: “My career was always about supporting other musicians – I never really had the confidence to record my own original music. It was the end of lockdown 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. The whole process has been an absolute dream and I can’t wait to share the album with everyone!”
In The Moment is available now via Spotify:
