Matt Carmichael

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 was 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 like 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, which won "Best Album" at the Scottish Jazz Awards. His latest album, Dancing with Embers, is a collection of emotionally driven instrumental songs where melody takes centre stage. It is Matt’s most ambitious work so far, with his distinct soundworld being expanded with guests Rachel Sermanni (voice), Brìghde Chaimbeul (small pipes), Chris Amer, and Innes White (guitars), alongside his core quintet, which includes pianist Fergus McCreadie (piano), Charlie Stewart (fiddle), Ali Watson (bass), and Tom Potter (drums).