Biog/Press Pack

Short Biog:

Tom Ridout is an award-winning saxophonist and recorder player who has quickly risen to prominence on the London jazz scene. A graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, Tom has won several accolades, including the Help Musicians Peter Whittingham Jazz Award and the Lancaster Jazz Festival Youth Jazz Commission. He is a prolific composer who has released his debut album “No Excuses” to great critical acclaim. With a unique energy and creativity in his performances, Tom has performed with some of the biggest names in jazz and has played at some of the most iconic venues in the UK. His dedication to his craft and passion for music make him one of the most exciting young musicians in the industry today.

More detailed biog:

Tom Ridout is a rising star in the world of jazz. Hailed by Jazzwise Magazine as an upcoming musician to watch back in 2012, Tom has more than lived up to that promise in the years since. He’s a talented saxophonist and recorder player who’s won acclaim for his performances, recordings, and compositions.

A graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, Tom has won a slew of awards, including the Help Musicians Peter Whittingham Jazz Award, the Lancaster Jazz Festival Youth Jazz Commission, and the Craig Ball Award. He was also a finalist in the 2016 BBC Young Musician Jazz Award, an honour that helped put him on the map in the UK jazz scene.

Whether he’s performing his original compositions with his own bands or collaborating with other artists, Tom brings a unique energy and creativity to every project he’s involved with.

Tom has played at some of the most iconic jazz venues in the UK, including Ronnie Scott’s, The 606, and the Barbican Centre. He’s also performed at Buckingham Palace and the Sage Theatre in Gateshead.

Tom’s debut album, “No Excuses,” showcases his talent as both a composer and performer. With a 13-piece band that includes traditional jazz instrumentation as well as a string quartet and brass trio, the album is a true tour de force. It received rave reviews and has been played on Jazz FM and other radio stations across the UK.

Through his studies at the Royal Academy of Music and his work with NYJO (the National Youth Jazz Orchestra), Tom has had the opportunity to perform with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Gregory Porter, Nikki Iles, Gwilym Simcock, and Dave Holland. He also performs with bands such as The James Taylor Quartet, Clark Tracey, Patchwork Jazz Orchestra, Tristan Mailliot’s Chick Corea Project and is honoured to be part of an all star line up for The Barbara Thompson Memorial Concert celebrating the music and legacy of iconic saxophonist Barbara Thompson MBE in June ’23.

For anyone who loves jazz, Tom Ridout is a musician you won’t want to miss. With his incredible talent, boundless creativity, and passion for the music, he’s a true force to be reckoned with in the jazz world.

Press quotes:

“If you get a chance just go and see this band: their repertoire is rich in textures, complexity and virtuoso performances -you won’t be disappointed” (John Morrow – Riff Magazine)

“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)

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