CHANTAL ACDA & THE ATLANTIC DRIFTERS
After exploring the beauty of darkness and vulnerability with the album ‘Silently Held’ (2024, Challenge Records), Chantal Acda (BE/NL, vocals, guitar) returns to the core of her band The Atlantic Drifters. Chantal will once again be joined by Bill Frisell (US, guitar), Thomas Morgan (US, double bass) and Eric Thielemans (BE, drums), but this time, the open and jazzy playing of these musicians will be fortified by an orchestral layer.
Chantal Acda, Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan and Eric Thielemans, through collective writing and improvisation, recorded the basis of the upcoming album in New York. Icelandic composer Borgar Magnason (Sigur Rós, Damiel Rice, Damon Albarn) wrote a powerful arrangement for the Prague Metropolitan Orchestra, recorded under supervision by Phill Brown (Talk Talk, Mark Hollis, Joni Mitchell).
The album is a layered, powerful artistic statement about transformation, authenticity and vulnerability and a moving combination of masterful songwriting, jazz and orchestral music.
The new album will be released by the Dutch label Challenge Records (NL) in 2027. More info to come soon.
The press on ‘Silently Held’
“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
‘Silently Held’ was nominated for the Dutch national music awards the Ensors!
Album line-up:
Chantal Acda (BE/NL) – Vocals, guitar
Bill Frisell (US) – Guitar
Thomas Morgan (US) – Double bass
Eric Thielemans (BE) – Drums
+ Prague Metropolitan Orchestra
Live line-up (international):
Chantal Acda (BE/NL) – Vocals, guitar
Bill Frisell (US) – Guitar
Thomas Morgan (US) – Double bass
Eric Thielemans (BE) – Drums
George Van Dam (NA/BE) – Violin
Simon Lenski (BE) – Cello
Live line-up (Belgian):
Chantal Acda (BE/NL) – Vocals, guitar
Eric Thielemans (BE) – Drums
Frederik Madou (BE) – Double bass
Laurens Dierckx (BE) – Keys
George Van Dam (NA/BE) – Violin
Simon Lenski (BE) – Cello
(optional) Frans Van Isacker (BE) – Saxophone
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
