Since graduating from Trinity College of Music in 2005, Matt has established himself as one of the most versatile, creative and hard-working bass players on the UK jazz scene. Known for his imaginative soloing, solid time keeping and great sound, he is in demand for both straight-ahead and modern jazz. He has performed worldwide and at many of London’s most prestigious venues such as the Purcell Room, the Cadogan Hall, Ronnie Scott’s, Dean Street Pizza Express Jazz Club, King’s Place, the Barbican main stage, and the O2 Arena. He is a regular at the Swanage, Marlborough and Scarborough jazz festivals, and continues to perform at others both at home and abroad. Long time collaborators include Darius Brubeck, with whom he has recorded 3 albums, most recently with Dave O’Higgins on sax. For 3 years Matt played in UK jazz legend Michael Garrick’s quartet, big band and Lyric Ensemble. Since 2008 he has recorded and performed extensively with oud maestro Attab Haddad in his project combining middle eastern, flamenco and jazz music. More recently, Matt has been working with Issie Barratt in her large ensemble, and touring with up-and-coming guitarist Ant Law. As a band leader, Matt released his debut album ‘Thymos’ on the prestigious Whirlwind Recordings label in 2013. Featuring the talents of award-winning pianist John Turville, drummer George Hart, and guest appearances from saxophone superstar Jason Yarde, oud maestro Attab Haddad and percussionist Vasilis Sirikis, the album represents a substantial artistic statement of both compositional and improvisational chutzpah. The release was followed by an extensive UK tour, both of which were lauded by critics (see reviews page). The group continue to perform as a quartet and a 2nd album is scheduled for release in late 2015. In addition to his original music project, Matt leads the ‘MJQ Celebration’. A straight-ahead yet modern outfit, the band comprises Brit-jazz award winner vibraphonist Jim Hart, (notably one of the very few UK artists to be nominated in the ‘Downbeat’ reader’s poll), pianist Barry Green, and Brit-jazz multi-award winner Steve Brown on drums. Propelled by Ridley’s ebullient swing, the group lend an exciting modern sensibility to the well known and loved repertoire of the Modern Jazz Quartet. The group released an eponymous CD in April 2014 (produced by Ridley), which received glowing reviews and was described by the London Jazz Blog as ‘an enormously entertaining project, already leaping on top of an ‘early best of 2014’ pile’
Awards
Trinity College of music 'Friends in New York' Award 2005
'Bass Player of the Year Award' Academy of Contemporary Music
A graduate of London's Trinity College of Music, this is in-demand bassist Matt Ridley's second album as leader. On Music To Drive Home To" Jason Yarde plays a repeated plangent melody on soprano saxophone followed by John Turville elegantly soloing on piano. As its name implies Lachrymose" is something of a tear-jerking exercise with Yarde squeezing out a poignant melody from the soprano and a searching bass solo from Matt Ridley.A morse code-like bass pulse opens Mental Cases" ...
Meet Matt Ridley: I graduated from Trinity College of Music in Greenwich, London in 2005 and have been a full time bassist since then. Music has taken me all around the world and I've been very privileged to perform regularly with some of the finest jazz musicians in UK like Jason Yarde, John Turville, and George Hart who were on my debut album, Thymos (Whirlwind, 2013). I also produced a record with the MJQ Celebration, which plays ...
All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Whirlwind Recordings Matt Ridley - Thymos download giveaway contest starting today. We'll select TEN winners at the conclusion of the contest on May 5th. Click here to enter the contest (Becoming a fan of Matt Ridley at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.) Good luck! Your Friends at Whirlwind Recordings About Thymos Whirlwind Recordings is proud to introduce Thymos, the ambitious debut solo-album from double bassist and composer ... read more
'one of the most exciting young jazz bass players around'
- Marlbank
‘Ridley and Brown like masters of the metronome, spot on at every juncture’
- Peter Vacher, Jazzwise
‘an imaginative soloist who also roots the band with strength and simplicity’
- Alison Bentley, London Jazz Blog
‘Ridley has a solid, woody sound and his solos are nimble and to the point’
– Mike Hobart, Jazzwise
‘his soloing is impressive, utilising the whole of the scale-length to produce imaginative improvisations’
- Bebop Spoken Here
‘the double bass versatility and compositional talent of Matt Ridley drive the quartet along’
- Adrian Pallant, London Jazz News
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