Local singer/songwriter Elnora Pittman is releasing her fifth album in Cochrane on April 10 at the Bow Valley Baptist Church.
Described as a contemporary Christian Indie artist, Pittman has been performing since the late 1980s, originally touring with the Christian band Morning Star and then starting her career as a solo artist with the release of her first album in 1997.
Her new album Lead Me is a compilation of songs written over the past 12 years. In addition to working on her music, she has been a worship leader at Hawkwood Baptist Church in Calgary for the last 14 years
Pittman described the making of this album as a “faith journey” and explained some of the songs she wrote were to go with subjects her church’s pastor had chosen.
“Some of the songs were just where I was at, just how I was struggling and really some of them are prayers or ‘What do I do next?’ kind of thing,” Pittman explained.
The album release will feature a farewell concert of sorts for Pittman, who is relocating in late April with her husband after the downturn in the oil industry led to job losses in their family.
“We have to move, so it’s kind of leading us out of here. Which is heart wrenching for us because we love this community and living in the Calgary area, but you just have to go where you’re led,” Pittman explained.
She is eager for the album to be released as she began working on it in the summer of 2014. She is also grateful for the people who have helped her along the way.
“The musicians that I have working for me are top notch.”
Elnora’s band features Calgary musicians Jerry Proppe on keys, Gavin Sorochan on drums and Jeff Meszaros on guitar.
Also joining her in performing that night will be members of Alive! in the Valley, a worship band consisting of mainly people from Cochrane. Proppe, who is also Pittman’s producer, will be performing some of his solo work as well.
Pittman described this new album as having a “more organic” sound than her ones in the past.
“I’ve worked really hard on this. I think the songs are uplifting message-wise and musically the songs are well-written. I’ve been doing this a long time so I know what is a good song and what isn’t and I think they’re very strong songs on there.”
The April 10 concert starts at 7 p.m. and an offering will be taken at the event. Her album will be available for purchase that evening at the venue.
For more information about Elnora Pittman, visit elnorapittman.com
