Matt Ridley – ‘The Antidote: Live at the London Jazz Festival’ Album launch

Mon 30 October 2023, 7.45PM

Line-up:

About

Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music

Album launch

Standard £15 / Vortex Members £12.50 / Students & UC beneficiaries £10

Alex Hitchcock – Saxophone

Ant Law – Guitar

Tom Hewson -Piano

Matt Ridley – Double Bass

Marc Michel – Drums

«November 2024»

Matt Ridley has been a familiar presence of the UK jazz scene for 17 years, during which time he has performed and collaborated with an extremely broad range of artists. He cut his teeth playing with UK luminaries such as Pete King, Don Weller and Michael Garrick, and since 2006 he has been touring the UK and abroad with Darius Brubeck’s quartet featuring Dave O’Higgins. He worked extensively with Ant Law in his quintet and ‘Art of Rhythm’ trio (feat. Asaf Sirkis), prior to the formation of ‘The Antidote’. In broader terms, Ridley has worked with a wide range of musicians at the vanguard of their movement including Tim Garland, Nikki Iles, Issie Barratt, Jim Hart, Ivo Neame and Jason Yarde. 2023 sees him touring at major international jazz festivals in Mulatu Astatke’s 8-piece ensemble.

The Antidote features the formidable quintet of Alex Hitchcock on saxophone, Ant Law on guitar, Tom Hewson on piano, Marc Michel on drums, and of course Matt Ridley on bass. With an insistence on detailed, expressive and thought-through compositions, Ridley allows time and space for both himself and his band members to express and showcase both their individual and collective talents through dynamic improvisation. The synergy between the group and a mutual understanding of each players’ specific nuances are more than apparent, while still allowing enough freedom for independent flair to shine though. Combining this with the more melodic and compositional aspects of the music makes for a truly engaging experience.

One of the strongest releases by homegrown jazz talent in 2021′ **** Editors Choice, Jazzwise Magazine

‘A highly listenable melding of electric instruments and elegant composition’ London Jazz News