It’s barely 18 months since saxophonist Matt Carmichael graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s jazz course.
Yet in that short period as a full-time professional musician, Matt has achieved much.
A talented student
He left the Conservatoire as the first student to win all three of the prizes awarded at the end of the academic year, having already earned rave reviews for his debut album, Where Will the River Flow.
Just as he was graduating, the prestigious WDR Big Band in Cologne announced it had commissioned top American saxophonist-composer Bob Mintzer to arrange Matt’s album.
A concert, with Matt as featured soloist and Mintzer conducting the orchestra, followed in March this year.
Top jazz label
Then Matt signed with top jazz label Edition Records. He has just released his first album for the label, Marram, an event that coincided with the announcement that he is shortlisted for two titles at the Scottish Jazz Awards – Best Instrumentalist and Best Band – which take place next Thursday.
His quintet includes fiddler Charlie Stewart, from Glenfarg, and pianist Fergus McCreadie, both also award-winning musicians.
“We’re really looking forward to playing at Perth Theatre,” he says. “It’s almost a hometown gig for Charlie so that makes it extra special.”
Matt Carmichael brings his quintet to Perth Theatre on Saturday December 3.
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