A CULCHETH artist is flying the flag high for the ‘underappreciated’ black excellence with her own take on jazz.

Chelsea Carmichael is a saxophonist, composer and arranger who has released her third single and her debut album, out now, titled ‘The River Doesn’t Like Strangers’, which relates to a comment her dad made when they visited Jamaica for the first time.

Chelsea’s parents both still live in Culcheth and were dancers on the Northern jazz and funk scene, so Chelsea is taking her own take on their family tradition.

“It’s exciting but it is also kind of terrifying, releasing music is a new thing for me but it’s been a long time coming,” Chelsea, 28, said.

“I’m super excited to represent Warrington, there are not many girl musicians in Warrington so it’s great to represent that.

“I’m inspired by the amazing contributions that black artists have made to jazz for a long time and a lot of that music has gone unappreciated. For me I’m wanting to continue this British black excellence in music.”

Chelsea, who went to Culcheth High School, said she got into jazz through private lessons in Wigan and joined the youth orchestra there and they were the first inspiration as to what she wanted to play and sound like.

And for those who haven’t heard her music or any jazz, Chelsea, now in south east London, would describe it as unconventional jazz as she is now part of the ‘new London jazz scene’

“There are influences from other types of music. Some of it wouldn’t be out of place being played in a club. The new song is not your typical jazz record and that’s what I love about it.

“London has had a huge impact on me. This is the place where I have matured most as a musician.

“I think people who don’t like jazz would be surprised and think ‘I didn’t know that came under jazz’.

“That’s a lot of what is going on in the jazz scene at the minute where people are bringing in influences from other music that they like.”

Chelsea is grounded with her aspirations early doors.

She continued: “I just want people to like it and to get into it and to explore other music. People are putting out some incredible things at the moment.

“I would just like a warm reception and I will continue to put out music and write records and that will continue whether it does well or not.”