Langtoun Jazz Festival 2023 opens with a spectacular concert featuring rising star saxophonist Matt Carmichael leading a quintet of young Scottish musicians already making a name for themselves on the UK Jazz scene and all destined for great things. Heralded by BBC Music Magazine as ‘a distinctive new voice in a crowded scene’, 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 as well as being a guest soloist with the Grammy Award winning WDR Big Band in Germany where his music was arranged by Bob Mintzer. Matt’s debut album ‘Where Will The River Flow’ was critically acclaimed, amassing over 3 Million streams and he was subsequently signed to the renowned Jazz label Edition Records who released his second album ‘Marram’ in October 2022.
‘Marram’ takes its influence from the drama, moods and expansiveness of the coastal imagery of Scotland. But rather than the music being inspired by the landscapes, it’s more the other way round, where the image of the sea encapsulates the openness and emotiveness Matt is trying to communicate in his music. The album also talks about escapism, of flow and the push and pull or drama that the sea evokes. For Matt, his music “wants to have a transportive element…the sea can be calm, but can also be tempestuous, a space where lots of different moods, emotions and energies can be conveyed, lots of different elements of nature found”.
Now in their early twenties, Matt’s band have been working together since they were in high school and have built a unique chemistry together. Featuring Mercury Award nominee Fergus McCreadie (piano), Ali Watson (Bass), Tom Potter (Drums) and new member Charlie Stewart (BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year) on fiddle.
As an extra treat, three young musicians from Edinburgh will play a short set during the interval in what will be their debut public performance. Finlay Mackenzie (drums), Doug Wright (piano), and Will Ewins (double bass) are all aged around 16 and have been playing together for several years. Finlay recently joined the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra, and is attending summer schools with Berklee College of Music in Boston, Napier University/Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and the National Youth Jazz Collective. Will is taught by Scottish bass legend Mario Caribe, has played with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and is attending a Summer School at Juilliard in New York. Doug is taught by Scotland’s outstanding pianist Fergus McCreadie and is attending a summer school at the Guildhall in London. They have also started playing some of their own compositions. As a trio, they are mentored by Fergus McCreadie, which is testament to their talent and potential. Here’s an accomplished version of Chick Corea’s “Windows” as a taster.
Doors open 7.30 for 8.00 pm.
Tickets £13 from Ticket Source (booking fee for online tickets) or £15 at the door. Tickets can be reserved for payment at the door via info@langtounjazz.co.uk New for 2023, contactless payment will be available on the door.
