'One of the strongest releases by homegrown jazz talent in 2021 so far' **** Editors Choice, Jazzwise Magazine
Matt Ridley is a freelance double bassist, bass guitarist, educator and jazz composer/bandleader based in London, UK. He has a performing career spanning more than 2 decades, with 5 releases to his name. The eponymous debut album with his latest project, ‘The Antidote’, topped the polls in the UK and received glowing reviews from coveted music publications around the globe. After the release of the follow-up EP ‘The Antidote Reloaded’, a full-length live album ‘The Antidote: Live At The London Jazz Festival’ is scheduled for release on 20/10/23.
Matt 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, Gary Husband, Leon Foster-Thomas, Troy Miller, Jim Mullen, Soweto Kinch, 'Hexagonal', Gilad Atzmon, Ivo Neame, and many more. He performs frequently at international jazz festivals with Mulatu Astatke.
'This bass player has something to say, and, by God, he's going to say it' Downbeat Magazine
In 2019, Matt formed a new band, 'The Antidote', a quintet featuring Alex Hitchcock (sax), Ant Law (guitar), Tom Hewson (piano) and Marc Michel (drums). The music bridges the divide between contemporary jazz, classical, and progressive rock. The eponymous album was released on Ubuntu Music in July 2021 to rave reviews in coveted music publications at home and abroad; Downbeat Magazine**** (U.S.), BBC Music Magazine****, Jazzwise****, Presto Music 'recording of the week', Jazzmania (Belgium) Ivan Rod***** (Denmark). The album was shortlisted for numerous 'best of' lists including '20 best jazz albums of 2021' by Jazzwise, and receiving a nomination for Best Album in the 2022 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.
Matt describes his inspiration for the music: "I spent a long time reflecting on musical culture in the UK, and my own identity and relationship with all of the different music that I have encountered over 15+ years of being a professional bassist. When it came down to it, I concluded that what the English do really well, is ROCK, FOLK, and CLASSICAL music. I realised that, deep down, I've always wanted to ROCK OUT, to be wild and free, to fly unhindered and answerable to no-one. So I set out creating my own music, that would combine 'thinking man's' Rock music (Radiohead/Beatles...without the posturing and banal dumbing-down which is inevitable in more commercial pop music), with Jazz improvisation (without falling foul of pretentious self-indulgence), simple, memorable, Folky melodies, and the detail, sensitivity, and emotional depth of Classical music."
The result is 'The Antidote', remarkable for its depth, integrity, and refreshing insistence on strong melodic and thematic material.
Matt Ridley // Double Bass
Ant Law // Guitar
Alex Hitchcock // Tenor Saxophone
Tom Hewson // Piano
TBC // Drums