Tom Ridout – Tenor and Soprano Saxophones and Recorder
Billy Marrows – Guitar
Will Barry – Piano
Flo Moore – Bass
Rod Oughton – Drums
Award winning saxophonist Tom Ridout (23) was predicted by Jazzwise Magazine in 2012 as an upcoming jazz musician to watch out for. He is a recent graduate from the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, finalist in the BBC Young Musician Jazz Award 2016 and a current member of NYJO. Tom formed his Quintet when he was studying at The Royal Academy of Music, to showcase his growing catalogue of compositions. The Quintet has performed at major venues and festivals including Ronnie Scotts, The 606 club, The Vortex and The Bear Club. Influences on Tom’s playing include Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Mike Brecker, Eddie Harris and influences on Tom’s compositions include Wayne Sorter, Joni Mitchell, Traditional English Folk, John Scofield, Led Zeppelin, Charlie Haden. Tom recently released his debut album “No Excuses”, which features a 13 piece band including traditional jazz instrumentation with a string quartet and brass trio. The album had a fantastic launch at The Vortex to a sold out audience in Janurary. Tracks from the album have been played on Jazz FM many times, as well as on The Jazz Report, TNGC Radio, Sennhesier Sunday Jazz Session and Radio 3’s ‘Jazz Now’ show accompanying an interview with Tom.
“Names to note: … the very persuasive Tom Ridout on tenor” (Peter Vacher – London Jazz News)
“Tom Ridout on virtuosic recorder” (Mike Collins- London Jazz News)
“fiery, focussed soloing by impressive tenor saxophonist Tom Ridout” (Selwyn Harris- Jazzwise)
“His debut album is a fantastic showcase of the versatility of his writing, ability and imagination” (Grace Scott Deuchar – Recorder Magazine)