Byres Road
Wed 21 Oct · 20:00 · £18
Matt Carmichael - Album Launch The launch of Glasgow based saxophonist and composer Matt Carmichael’s new album Held in the Dark. Widely recognised for his distinctive blend of jazz and folk influences, Carmichael expands his musical world on Held in the Dark. Drawing inspiration from the intimacy, warmth and guitar-led soundscapes of singer-songwriter records, the album embraces a more indie-folk aesthetic while remaining rooted in the improvisational freedom of Jazz and collective chemistry that define his music and live performances. “The music I was listening to during this period was predominantly artists such as Big Thief, Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Sufjan Stevens, Flyte and Elliott Smith on the CD player in my trusty 2009 Ford Fiesta. I also began playing guitar and writing there alongside piano. The vision for this album stemmed heavily from that sound world, and it feels like a natural extension of the music I make and something I'm excited to explore further.” Matt Carmichael tenor saxophone Charlie Stewart fiddle James Mackay guitars Chris Amer guitars Fergus McCreadie piano Ali Watson bass Stephen Henderson drums “Can make you laugh and shed a tear within the turn of a bar.” Jazzwise Magazine ‘a sound and style all of your own.’ Bob Mintzer ‘A distinctive new voice in a crowded scene.’ BBC Music Magazine

Not the same tradition as the lineage above — a genuinely different thread to pull, if you want one.