Soundhouse: Matt Carmichael

“His music deserves to transcend European borders, for his originality and mastery are nothing short of inspiring. Beneath an apparent simplicity lies a music that is intricate and deeply considered, brimming with charm and poetry.” – Theirry De Clemensat, Paris Move

This special gig will be the Edinburgh album launch of saxophonist and composer Matt Carmichael’s new album Held in the Dark. This is his strongest to date and evolves his emotive Scottish Folk-Jazz sound with more indie influences, reflecting a personal journey of supporting a loved one and holding on to hope. Aesthetically somewhere between Big Thief, John Coltrane and The Gloaming.

Heralded by BBC Music Magazine as "a distinctive new voice in a crowded scene," Scottish saxophonist and composer Matt Carmichael continues to move from strength to strength and grow his reach globally with his powerfully emotive blend of melodic jazz and folk music. Born just outside of Inverness before moving to Glasgow, where, at the age of 11, he enthusiastically ran home from school clutching a letter from his local music service offering saxophone lessons. Music instantly became his passion, and he soon began writing music for his own band, performing their first gig at the Butterfly and Pig in Glasgow — before half the band were legally allowed in the pub.

Since then, the band has developed a special chemistry and sound together, grounded in collective improvisation. They regularly perform internationally at venues and festivals including Bimhuis, Fasching, Celtic Connections, Ronnie Scott’s, and Love Supreme, as well as Matt working as a soloist and arranger with the Grammy Award-winning WDR Big Band and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

Following his critically acclaimed debut Where Will the River Flow (which amassed over 8 million streams), Carmichael signed to the renowned label Edition Records for his second album, Marram. His latest album, Dancing with Embers included collaborations with Rachel Sermanni and Brìghde Chaimbeul and was shortlisted for the multi-genre SAY awards as well as winning ‘Best Album’ in the Scottish Jazz Awards.

The line up for the gig will be as follows:

Matt Carmichael - tenor saxophone


Charlie Stewart - fiddle


James Mackay - guitars


Chris Amer - guitars


Fergus McCreadie - piano


Ali Watson - bass


Stephen Henderson - drums

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