A pianist from Weymouth is set to release his debut album on Friday, March 10.

Samuel Ruddick used to perform around Weymouth pubs and clubs as a drummer in the band The Chase, however, after moving to Amsterdam he has switched to the piano and is now centre stage as an instrumentalist.

He performs alongside Berlin-based Swiss artist Jeremia Reichen under the name S.Salter, a name which is a homage to Sam's grandparents who he describes as his "biggest supporters".

Sam said: "Salter was the name lent from my grandparents on my mum's side, they are always my biggest supporters so it's a bit of an homage to them."

S.Salter will be releasing their debut album Juun, which was written during the pandemic whilst Sam was living in Amsterdam.

The inspiration for the album came from Sam's longing for home and being back in the Dorset countryside. 

He said: "I have been playing the piano since I was quite young, during the pandemic I was stuck over here and I started writing some songs.

"The whole album is inspired by the south west of England, the landscape of Dorset and Cornwall and that longing of home, dreaming about the Dorset countryside and Cornish beaches."

Sam and Jeremia have been picked up by prominent Dutch record label STMPD RCRDS to release the album.

Alongside the release of the album, S.Salter will also be featured on the official 'Piano Day 2023' record, an annual event showcasing some of the most talented composers and creators in the world.

Sam said: "It is all very exciting, but there is a lot to prepare for and so there is a lot of nerves as well as excitement.

"We will be performing pretty soon, which is exciting and I am used to performing having been in the band but this is very different because it's now me centre stage on the piano.

"Everyone back home has been really supportive and it is all very exciting."

Juun will be released on Friday, March 10 and will be available on all streaming sites.