Matt Carmichael Quintet

Matt Carmichael is a rising star in the Scottish jazz scene and one of its leading voices. A frequent award winner and a finalist in the 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition, Matt draws inspiration from the dramatic moods and expansiveness of Scotland’s coastal imagery and his jazz background brings a unique focus on the country’s folk tradition. His band, still in their early twenties, have played together for many years and built a unique chemistry together. Expect a captivating blend of lyrical jazz with a focus on melody and collective improvisation from a standout artist

Matt Carmichael  – saxophone/compositions

Charlie Stewart – fiddle

Tom Gibbs piano

Ali Watson – bass

Tom Potter – drums

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 Jazz and Folk music. He has performed throughout Europe at Celtic Connections, Ronnie Scott’s, Love Supreme, Bimhuis as well as being a guest soloist with the Grammy Award winning WDR Big Band in Germany were his music was arranged by Bob Mintzer.

Matt Carmichael has been mentored by his fellow saxophonist Tommy Smith, who described him as being “better than I was at that age”. The recipient of the 2019 Peter Whittingham Development Award, this prestigious prize together with a successful Crowdfunder campaign helped finance the recording of his self- released début album ‘Where Will The River Flow’ which amassed over 5 Million streams. He was subsequently signed to Edition Records who released his second album ‘Marram’. Both albums feature acclaimed pianist Fergus McCreadie who has played with Matt for many years. He has performed throughout Europe as well as being a guest soloist with the Grammy Award winning WDR Big Band where his music was arranged by Bob Mintzer. https://www.mattcarmichaelmusic.com/

Charlie Stewart, a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland was voted BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2017.

Tom Gibbs, a Jazzwise ‘One to Watch’ in 2011 gained a Masters with distinction at York University where we was mentored by John Taylor and Julian Arguelles. He also studied in New York with Jason Moran and Oslo with Ralph Alessi.

“Like Charles Lloyd and Abdullah Ibrahim, Carmichael has the gift of uplift in his music”‘ – BBC Music Magazine

“…can make you laugh and shed a tear within the turn of a bar” – Jazzwise

“He’s going to be huge” – The Times