Nina Baker from Wymondham who has just recorded her first album.

It has been an emotional two-year journey for Norfolk singer songwriter, Nina Baker.

After travelling all over the county, performing more than 500 gigs and spending countless hours in the studio, her debut album is almost ready to be released.

But just as her dream of recording an album became a reality, her grandfather passed away.

The album, called Quite Frankly, is dedicated to Nina’s grandfather, Frank Baker, who died during the first week of her recording at Rockfield Studios.

Nina who attended Sewell Park College, formerly the Blyth Jex school, has spent the past two years writing and recording her album.

“It has been a long process but very exciting because the songs have transformed so much.

It’s phenomenal. I started off writing the songs at home on my keyboard. To hear them at the start and hear them now is quite unbelievable,” she said.

The self-funded album was recorded at the world-famous Rockfield Studios in Wales where Nina played on Freddie Mercury’s piano.

“I wanted the album to be different. I wanted people to listen to each track - there are no fillers on it. Lots of songs were eliminated. I have been such a perfectionist about it.

“I have travelled back and forth to the far ends of the country from Wales, to London, the Cotswolds, and even as far as my wonderful home town in Norfolk, creating something far bigger and explosive than I could ever have imagined,” Nina added.

Nina, who attended City College Norwich and graduated with a degree in drama and literature from the University of Essex, previously taught private piano lessons at the Hewett School.

She describes her music as modern pop/rock/blues with a classical element.

“I grew up listening to some of the most fabulous classic arrangements of artists and albums, from Tchaikovsky to Ella Fitzgerald to the modern ages of rock and pop and wanted to incorporate all of these wonderful styles within it.”

Of the 13 tracks on the album, Nina cites Single Bed as one of her favourites.

“It’s quirky and upbeat. I think a lot of people can relate to it.”

Nina, who is currently living in Warwick, will return to Norfolk on March 7 when she will play a gig at Epic Studios. On March 14 she will perform at Norwich Playhouse in association with Norwich Fashion Week and Latitude Festival. On April 7 she will support blues legend Larry Miller at the Waterfront.

Quite Frankly will be released at the end of April. A percentage of the money from sales will be donated to Cancer Research UK.

To pre-order a copy of the album visit www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ninabaker