Episode #136 Alexandra Ridout

This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring rising trumpet star Alexandra Ridout, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Alexandra Ridout trumpet interview" About Alex Ridout: UK born multi award winner Alexandra Ridout is a trumpeter, bandleader, composer and educator based in Harlem NYC.   At only 26 years old, Alexandra is already one of the most talented young trumpet players on the international scene. Since winning the UK's prestigious BBC Young Jazz Musician in 2016, she has been catapulted into a busy high-profile career, captivating audiences ever since.   Her awards include the British Jazz Awards "Rising Star" 2018, Keep an Eye International Jazz Awards "Best Soloist" 2023, 2nd place at the esteemed Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet competition 2023, and most recently the Next Jazz Legacy 2025 Award through New Music USA. Alexandra is a busy performer with her own outstanding bands of various sizes in leading venues in New York, London and beyond. She has performed at many jazz festivals worldwide including Montreux, North Sea, Unity at the Lincoln Centre, London, Love Supreme and was recently an artist in residence at the Guimarães Jazz Festival.   She was a showcased performer/composer in the International Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT) with her trio in New York in 2022. The Festival is curated by world famous jazz trumpeter Dave Douglas, who she performed with in the FONT in 2024 and recorded an album with his new project 'Alloy' in 2025.   Alex's distinctive trumpet voice is sought out by numerous prominent musicians and she has toured and performed/recorded in the bands of Jochen Rueckert (Jochen Rueckert Quartet), Artemis (Renee Rosnes), Orlando Le Fleming (Romantic Funk band), Kit Downes, Dave Douglas (Alloy), Melissa Aldana, Dayna Stephens (Custom Deluxe band), Christine Jensen, Caroline Davis (Portals Band), Savannah Harris (Savannah Harris Trio), Pablo Held ('Pablo Held Meets' series and touring as a guest with his trio), Alex Hitchcock (Alex Hitchcock Quintet), Yazz Ahmed (Yazz Ahmed Polyhymnia) and Zoe Rahman.   "Pretty much from the first note you know that you're dealing with an original voice" – Matt Penman   Episode Links:   Website: alexandraridoutmusic.squarespace.com Instagram: @alexandra.ridout YouTube: @alexandraridout6998 Facebook: @AlexandraRidoutMusic   Podcast Credits: "A Room with a View" - composed and performed by Howie Shear Podcast Host - John Snell Cover Art Photography - Alice Leggett Audio Engineer - Ted Cragg