James Ross
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James Ross is a Scottish pianist and composer whose music is inspired by the rich tapestry of traditional music he grew up with in the Highlands. He blends this with influences from classical music to create innovative compositions drawing on the landscape, folklore, and history of the north of Scotland.
“Gorgeously compelling” (Sunday Herald); “Sublimely lyrical melodic gifts” (The Scotsman); “He will charm you, take you on day dreams, impress and take your breath away” (FolkWorld).
His new album, “Landscape to Light”, is a series of compositions for piano and string quartet. It draws inspiration from the novelist Neil Gunn and celebrates the remarkable landscape of the North of Scotland, in particular Caithness, James’s and Gunn’s home county, taking in sea, shore, cliffs, moorland and more. He is joined for this album by the Maxwell Quartet.
As a composer James has worked and recorded with various ensembles including Mr McFall’s Chamber, The Wallace Collection and now the Maxwell Quartet. He recently joined forces with prolific author Alexander McCall Smith to create a song cycle called “These are the Hands”, exploring Scotland’s relationship with the sea. He has also worked with the novelist James Robertson to create a musical adventure “The Boy and The Bunnet.”
James has a degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and a masters in traditional music from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance studying under Professor Michael O Suileabhain. James has been a lecturer in traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow for over 20 years.
