Silently Held—The New Album From Chantal Acda & The Atlantic Drifters

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. Guided by the skilled production of Philip Weinrobe (known from his work for Dirty Projectors and Adrienne Lenker) the album's sonic landscape is carefully crafted. Most of the songs recorded in one take. One breath to keep close to the realness and rawness Chantal was looking for. Meanwhile, the experienced touch of mixing engineer Phill Brown (Talk Talk, Mark Hollis,..) who has been very present on Chantal’s journey for years.

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.

Release schedule

January 26, 2024—The Friends Parade (first single)
March 15, 2024—Silently Held (second single)
April 19, 2024—I Can’t Make You Love Me (third single)
May 3, 2024—Silently Held (full album)

Video clips

The Friends Parade
Silently Held

About Chantal Acda

​​​​​This release follows Chantal'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. 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.

About Eric Thielemans

As a genre crossing/blending percussionist with a classically trained ear, Eric Thielemans has worked his way via jazz drumming and free improvisation towards his own realms in Music & Performance. Grown from a teenager in the mid Eighties to a contemporary professional—for him along with fellow artists from the same generation—a multi-disciplinary way of work comes naturally.Known from his work with Billy Hart, Trevor Dunn, Mika Vanio and Laurie Anderson. Has been a member of Chantal’s band since 2011.

About Colin Stetson

Colin Stetson, born in 1975, is an American-Canadian saxophonist and multireedist renowned for his avant-garde and experimental music. Stetson's unconventional techniques, such as circular breathing and vocalizations, contribute to his distinct sonic landscape. He has made significant contributions to both solo projects and collaborations across various genres.

About Kurt van Herck

Kurt Van Herck studied at the Jazz Studio in Antwerp. Under the guidance of John Ruocco, Kurt found his own musical path. Later he came into contact with Jacques Pelzer, who in turn became an important and inexhaustible source of inspiration. Surrounded by talented brothers in arms such as Dré Pallemaerts, Bert Joris, Diederik Wissels, Erwin Vann, Frank Vaganée, Philippe Aerts, Michel Herr, Daniel Romeo, Eric Legnini, Michel Hatzigorgiou, Riccardo Del Fra, Serge Lazarevitch, Nathalie Loriers, Kries Goessens, ... Kurt has been making music since 1986 in a continuous series of projects at home and abroad. Besides his work in smaller formations, Kurt also remains a much sought-after big band player: the former BRT Orchestra, Act Big Band, Dizzie Gillespie Big Band, European Broadcast Union and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, his musical home. In 1997 he received the Django d' Or and in 1999 he was first choice of the VRT listener.

About Niels van Heertum

Niels Van Heertum started playing the euphonium at the age of eight. With a background in both classical and jazz music, Niels went further on the path of jazz euphonium at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he studied with John Ruocco and Kris Defoort, among others. Attending masterclasses and private lessons by Sergio Carolino, Chris Speed, Brian Bowman, Ellery Eskelin and Samuel Blaser. In 2010 he formed the band Ifa y Xango, together with six fellow musicians. The band won the prestigious Gent Jazz Contest 2011 and played at the Gent Jazz Festival in 2012. Their critically aclaimed debut album ‘Abraham’ was selected as ‘best debut of the year’ by the New York City Jazz Magazine. He has been playing with Chantal since many years.

About Jozef Dumoulin

Jozef Dumoulin, born in 1975, is a Belgian pianist and composer known for his inventive work in the realm of contemporary jazz and improvised music. Dumoulin's exploration of extended piano techniques and electronic elements contributes to a forward-thinking sound that challenges conventional notions of jazz piano.

About Bill Frisell

Bill Frisell, born in 1951, is an American guitarist and composer known for his distinctive approach to jazz, country, and folk music. With a career spanning decades, Frisell has collaborated with a diverse range of musicians, crafting a unique sound that blends various genres seamlessly.

About Thomas Morgan

Thomas Morgan began playing the cello 7 years of age, before switching to upright-bass at 14. In 2003 he received his bachelor's degree in Music from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Harvie Swartz and Garry Diall. He also took lessons with Ray Brown and Peter Herbert. Morgan worked with David Binney, Steve Coleman, Joey Baron, Josh Roseman, Brad Shepik, Steve Cardenas, Timuçin Şahin, Kenny Wollesen, Gerald Cleaver, Adam Rogers and Kenny Werner throughout his career. He is also cooperating with Jakob Bro, Dan Tepfer, Jim Black, John Abercrombie, Masabumi Kikuchi and the Sylvie Courvoisier-Mark Feldman Quartet. Morgan lead his own trio.

About Joachim Badenhorst

Belgian clarinetist and saxophonist Joachim Badenhorst, born in 1981, is celebrated for his innovative approach to improvised music. With a foundation in jazz, Badenhorst explores the intersections of different styles, creating a rich and dynamic musical vocabulary that transcends traditional boundaries.

About Shahzad Ismaily

Shahzad Ismaily was born to Pakistani immigrant parents and grew up in a wholly bicultural household. While he holds a masters degree in biochemistry from Arizona State University, he is a largely self-taught composer and musician, having mastered the electric and double bass, guitar, banjo, accordion, flute, drums, various percussion instruments and various analog synthesizers and drum machines. Ismaily has recorded or performed with an incredibly diverse assemblage of musicians, including Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Jolie Holland, Laura Veirs, Bonnie Prince Billy and Marc Ribot.