Fiona Ross brings her ‘Moments in My Notebook’ to Soul Mama

The multi award winning pianist, vocalist, composer, producer, founder of the award winning not for profit organisation Women in Jazz Media – and our very own senior writer, Fiona Ross, launches her eight album Moments In My Notebook and 100 song milestone at the award-winning Soul Mama, London on June 4^th.

Never one to follow convention, her upcoming album, Moments in My Notebook, arriving May 30, 2025, is a testament to her boundless creativity and storytelling prowess. Ahead of the release, Ross released two singles “Let Your Soul Shine” and “I Don’t Want Money” on April 25^th and the response across the globe has been powerful and compelling with Darryl Sterdan, founder of Tinnitist stating: ‘Ross cements her place as one of the most fearlessly original voices in contemporary jazz and singer-songwriter storytelling’.

Recorded with a stellar lineup of musicians, who are all joining Ross for the live launch at Soul Mama, Moments in My Notebook features Gibbi Bettini (guitar), Derek Daley (bass), Marley Drummond (drums), Loren Hignell (saxophones, clarinet, flutes), Simon Todd (Percussion) and Dave Boa (trumpets), with guest appearances by Laura Impallomeni (trombone) Charlotte Keeffe (trumpet), award-winning Hannah Horton (saxophone), Diana Torti (vocals), Mary Sho and Mexico woman of the year Migdalia van Der Hoven (drums). With this line up, the launch night is set to be something very special.

Launched by acclaimed musician and broadcaster YolanDa Brown OBE DL and music manager and creative entrepreneur Adetokunbo “T” Oyelola, Soul Mama is not just a restaurant but a celebration of food and music. Through a record-breaking crowdfunding campaign, Soul Mama became a Guinness World Record Holder as the largest Kickstarter-funded restaurant globally. The club has seen a stellar line up of artists with Jazzmeia Horn coming up in July.

Photos by Steven Tiller

Moments in My Notebook is a chronicle of love, loss, discovery, and relentless creativity, marking her 100th original song release. Across 21 tracks of jazz-fueled storytelling, the award-winning vocalist, pianist, composer and producer delivers an expansive, deeply personal collection that spans the intimate hush of a late-night ballad to the rhythmic pulse of Latin jazz, with moments of raw, stripped-down vulnerability woven throughout. The award winning legendary Jazz historian, author and producer Maxine Gordon returns to writing the liner notes, having previously written for Ross’ 4^th album Fierce and Non-Compliant saying that Ross is ‘a poet, and her lyrics are poetry. When she writes, we feel her sincerity, her love for music and life, and her kindness and empathy.’

The album’s first single, ‘Let Your Soul Shine’ is a luminous anthem of resilience and self-worth, inspired by a moment of serendipity at a market stall. “I saw a sign that said, ‘Let Your Soul Shine,’ and I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” she recalls. “I walked home, sat at the piano, and the song just poured out in ten minutes.” The result is a soul-stirring piece that encourages listeners to find strength in their own light. Another standout, ‘Pirates in Paris,’ is a romantic ode to freedom and artistic rebellion, inspired by Ross’s many visits to the French capital. “Paris has always been my escape,” she says. “A place where I can just be me. This song is about that—about finding a space where you can exist without judgment.”

Then there’s ‘I Don’t Want Money,’ a track that captures the struggle every musician knows too well. “Wouldn’t it be nice to just make music without thinking about the cost of it all?” Ross muses. “But the reality is, we live in a world where money dominates everything. This song is for every creative who just wants to do what they love.” And if that’s not enough, Ross also gifts us “Voices Unheard,” a haunting, socially charged reflection on forgotten histories and overlooked figures—with the closing lines name- checking Melba Liston, James Baldwin, Countee Cullen, Mary Lou Williams, and Ida B. Wells.

“China Told Me: The Live Session,” inspired by acclaimed vocalist, broadcaster, and cultural force China Moses was rehearsed and recorded in a single day at Premises Studios, London, and features a remarkable, female-empowered lineup. ‘China’s voice, her artistry, her humanity are important. She changes lives. She empowers,” Ross shares. Collaborators include Mary Sho (championed by Moses herself), who wrote the second verse top line, and the groundbreaking J Steps ensemble — an award- winning group for female and non-binary jazz musicians under 18, founded and directed by Hannah Horton. “I am absolutely thrilled to have J Steps making their recording debut on this song,” says Ross. “It was such a wonderful day. This song is meant to be enjoyed with the video, (releasing in June), where you can see the joy, love and kindness in the room.”

With her 100th song milestone in mind, Ross closes the album with the poignant “100 Songs,” an introspective reflection on legacy and loss. “What would my parents say if they were here?” she wonders. “Would they be proud? Would they understand what I’ve built?” The song lingers, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved contemplation—exactly what great art is supposed to do.