Description
Acclaimed Scottish saxophonist and composer Matt Carmichael returns with Held in the Dark, a deeply personal album reflecting the experience of supporting a loved one through ongoing health struggles - exploring the nuances of isolation, resilience and hope. The album brings together long-standing friends and collaborators from Scotland's thriving music scene. Guitarists Chris Amer and James Mackay (corto.alto) introduce new colours and textures to Carmichael's sound, alongside Charlie Stewart (violin), Stephen Henderson (drums), Mercury Prize-shortlisted pianist Fergus McCreadie, and bassist Ali Watson, many of whom have played together since their teenage years. For the first time, Carmichael was joined in the studio by a co-producer: Canadian singer-songwriter Michelle Willis (David Crosby, Becca Stevens), now based in Scotland, who brought a fresh pair of ears from outside the jazz world.
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 and collective chemistry that define his music and live performances.
Throughout the record, Carmichael's saxophone and compositional voice act as a narrator, guiding the emotional arc while creating space for each musician's personality to emerge. Rather than placing virtuosity at the forefront, Held in the Dark finds its strength in storytelling, atmosphere and emotional connection.
With Held in the Dark, Carmichael delivers his most personal work to date, broadening the scope of his musical language while retaining the lyricism, warmth and emotional depth that have established him as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary European jazz.
