Alexandra & Tom Ridout Quintet: Cannonball Adderley at The Lighthouse

Two siblings on the front line. A third behind the drums. Alexandra and Tom Ridout bring their own family connection to the music of Cannonball and Nat Adderley.

In 1960, Cannonball Adderley’s quintet recorded a live set at The Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach, California. With Cannonball on alto saxophone and his brother Nat on trumpet, At The Lighthouse captured the band’s irresistible swing, blues feeling and quick-fire exchanges across tunes including “Sack O’ Woe”, “Blue Daniel” and “What Is This Thing Called Love?”

For this special December show, BBC Young Jazz Musician winner Alexandra Ridout takes the trumpet chair alongside her brother Tom Ridout on alto saxophone. Their younger brother Lester Ridout joins them on drums, with Harry Ashworth on piano and Lorenzo Morabito on double bass completing the quintet.

The family connection runs right through the band, echoing the sibling rapport at the heart of the original recording. These five musicians revisit its repertoire with the warmth, drive and individual voices that make this music so rewarding to hear live.

Join us in the intimate Jazz Club for an evening celebrating one of jazz’s great musical partnerships through another family of remarkable players.

About the artists

Alexandra Ridout — trumpet

Since winning BBC Young Jazz Musician in 2016, Alexandra Ridout has built an international career performing, touring and recording across America and Europe. Her awards include the British Jazz Awards’ Rising Star in 2018, Best Soloist at the Keep an Eye International Jazz Awards in 2023, and a Next Jazz Legacy award from New Music USA in 2025.

Her performance and recording credits include Samara Joy, ARTEMIS, Kit Downes, Melissa Aldana, Dave Douglas, Arturo O’Farrill, Miguel Zenón and the Mingus Big Band.

“Pretty much from the first note you know that you’re dealing with an original voice.”
— Matt Penman

“Alex Ridout is the real deal!”
— Kit Downes

Tom Ridout — saxophone

A Royal Academy of Music graduate and finalist in the 2016 BBC Young Musician Jazz Award, Tom Ridout has received the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award and the Lancaster Jazz Festival Youth Jazz Commission. His debut album, No Excuses, earned enthusiastic reviews and UK radio play.

Alongside leading his own projects, Tom performs with Billy Marrows’ Grande Família, the James Taylor Quartet, Clark Tracey, Patchwork Jazz Orchestra and Tristan Mailliot’s Chick Corea Project. His wider performance credits include Gregory Porter and Dave Holland, with appearances at venues ranging from Ronnie Scott’s to Buckingham Palace.

“Fiery, focussed soloing by impressive tenor saxophonist Tom Ridout.”
— Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise

Line-up

• Alexandra Ridout — trumpet
• Tom Ridout — alto saxophone
• Harry Ashworth — piano
• Lorenzo Morabito — double bass
• Lester Ridout — drums