CHANTAL ACDA & THE ATLANTIC DRIFTERS
“Silently Held. I always silently held my darker being. My doubts, my fragility.
With this album I slowly started to accept this side of myself.
Of us.
Of humanity.
We are the light and the dark.
The fear and the doubt.
The question and the knowing.
The sad and the happy.
I felt the need to embrace all of us.
Embrace all of me.
To find peace in letting it all in.
To find solace in taking my “Silently Held” , hold it in my hands and free it.
To open this space with people I trust.
The musicians on this album surrounded me with peace and danced with me.
With all of me.
With everything I carry.
With everything I hold.”
“Silently Held” follows Chantal Acda‘s earlier musical odysseys, including “Let Your Hands be My Guide” (2013), “The Sparkle In Our Flaws” (2015), “Bounce Back” (2017), “Puwawau” (2019) and “Saturday Moon” (2021). Each album, a testament to her artistic evolution, has resonated with audiences worldwide.
Silently Held comes to life with the collaborative brilliance of accomplished musicians. Bill Frisell with his beautiful understanding of Chantal’s flow of melody, Eric Thielemans who brings his percussive mastery to the mix. Jozef Dumoulin playing the piano with immense calmth. Thomas Morgan‘s who seems to be picking magic out of the skies with his bass and Shahzad Ismaily‘s golden touch as a multi-instrumentalist contribute to the album’s rich texture. Colin Stetson, renowned for his avant-garde saxophone work but also his work for Bon Iver, lends his unique voice, creating moments of emotive intensity. And Joachim Badenhorst, Niels Van Heertum and Kurt Van Herck finishing the album with their beautiful brass.
In the quiet embrace of the music, Chantal unveils a raw and authentic portrayal of vulnerability, where every flaw and feeling is held close. The album becomes a sanctuary, inviting listeners to join in this silent communion with the intricacies of the human experience. Through each note and lyric, Chantal Acda crafts a space where imperfections are not only acknowledged but celebrated, creating a profound and intimate connection between the artist and the audience. “Silently Held” stands as a testament to the beauty found in the closeness of our flaws and feelings, inviting us to embrace them with grace and authenticity.
This project will be performed live by an impressive sextet: Chantal Acda, Eric Thielemans, Darian Donovan Thomas, Thomas Morgan, Kevin Hays and Frans Van Isacker.
“Silently Held” was released on May 3rd with Challenge Records.
“Acda and the Atlantic Drifters have crafted a wholly immersive world of sound which is ideal for her voice and lyrics.”
– All About Jazz
“The album’s sonic landscape is one of mesmerising beauty. With most of the songs having been recorded in one take, there’s a raw, compelling breathlessness to the session, the whole group of musicians collectively sharing its gorgeous vibe.”
– UKvibe
“Her voice works perfectly with jazz improvisations.”
– Jazzism
“Silently Held is bursting with virtuosity, and gets better with every listen.”
– Humo
LINE UP ALBUM
Chantal Acda (BE) – Vocal, Acoustic guitar
Bill Frisell (US) – Electric guitar
Thomas Morgan (US) – Double bass
Colin Stetson (US) – Saxophone
Shahzad Ismaily (US) – Acoustic guitar, piano, percussion, moog
Eric Thielemans (BE) – Drums
Kurt Van Herck (BE) – Saxophone
Joachim Badenhorst (BE) – Clarinet
Niels Van Heertum (BE) – Euphonium
Jozef Dumoulin (BE) – Piano
POSSIBLE CONSTELLATIONS LIVE BAND
* Chantal Acda & The Atlantic Drifters.
Chantal Acda (BE) – Vocal, Acoustic guitar
Eric Thielemans (BE) – Drums
Darian Donovan Thomas (US) – Multi-instrumentalist
Thomas Morgan (US) – Double bass
Kevin Hays (US) – Piano
Frans Van Isacker (BE) – Saxophone
Niels van Heertum (BE) – Euphonium
* Chantal Acda & The North Sea Drifters (1).
Chantal Acda (BE) – Vocal, Acoustic guitar
Eric Thielemans (BE) – Drums
Hendrik Lasure (BE) – Piano
Frederik Madou (BE) – (double) Bass
Frans van Isacker (BE) – Saxophone
Kurt van Herck (BE) – Saxophone
Niels van Heertum (BE) – Euphonium
Chantal Acda & The North Sea Drifters can also perform in quintet, trio or duo with adaptive constellations.
Quintet example:
Chantal Acda (BE) – Vocal, Guitar
Eric Thielemans (BE) – Drums
Hendrik Lasure (BE) – Piano, Synth
Frederik Madou (BE) – Double bass
Frans Van Isacker (BE) – Saxophone
Trio example:
Chantal Acda (BE) – Vocal, Guitar
Gaetan Vandewoude (BE) – Guitar
Niels van Heertum (BE) – Euphonium
INSIDE JAZZ MANAGEMENT
BOOKING
Belgium
Manchesterstraat 49A/f, 9000 Ghent.
Jens Tytgat
jens@insidejazz.be
CHALLENGE RECORDS
LABEL
The Netherlands
Sander Vos
sander.vos@newartsint.com
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
PUBLISHER
Belgium
Rue Saint-Laurent 36-38, 1000 Bruxelles
info@strictly-confidential.net
CAPITAL MUSIC & MEDIA
BOOKING
Germany
Thomas Franke
capitalmusic@t-online.de
