London Basses
About London Basses
Founded in July 2015, London Basses runs three workshops a year in London. These are open to double bass players of all ages and ability from grade 3 to post Diploma and beyond and provide a friendly fun day for bass players.
Now directed by Eloise Riddell, London Basses was first created as a one off workshop but its immediate success meant that there are now workshops at Easter, Summer and October half term. The workshops offer bass players an opportunity of playing in a group of ‘massed’ basses, smaller ensembles, technique sessions, a masterclass with solo opportunities and much more! We have split groups to allow for bassists of all levels to be challenged in a friendly environment. Bassists are split into smaller ensembles, depending on level and age, giving everyone the opportunity to perform music suitable for their ability and meet new people. The final informal concert for family and friends is a highlight at the end of the day.
Our last two workshops had up to 25 bass players from all across England taking part, making it an encouraging and sociable event for all ages. For each workshop, Eloise is joined by experienced guest tutors, who bring in a new and varied dimension to each day, such as orchestral sessions, jazz sessions and more, adding to the already successful structure and unique focus on solo and chamber playing. Stay tuned for more exciting developments. We hope to see many of you in the future.
London Basses Monday Ensembles Club
Only 3 places left for the next term starting January 2026!
The London Basses Monday Evening Bass Club is open to all school aged bassists from Grades 4 – 8+ in Queen’s Park on a Monday. Currently it runs from 5 to 6 pm for 10 weeks. With a maximum of 6 bassists per group; over the course of each term, students will learn a variety of Double Bass ensemble repertoire to be performed at an end of term concert.
To sign up for the term beginning January 12th or to register your interest for future terms, please send me an email. £30 per session (price dependent on numbers)
Next Workshop
London Basses Workshop
Sunday 29 March 2026 at John Lyon School, Middle Rd, Harrow
Guest Tutors – Dave Manington and Tom Martin
Guest Tutors
Dave Manington
Bassist and composer Dave Manington is one of the mainstays of the London jazz scene.
A founder member of the Loop Collective, he has played with many of the pre-eminent jazz musicians in the UK and Europe. He’s also in demand for a broad range of different ensembles, playing with musicians from everywhere from South America to the Balkans.
His debut quartet album “Headrush” was released on Loop Records in 2008 to critical acclaim. He followed this up with the 2013 Riff Raff album release “Hullabaloo” which was described as “Inventive, forward looking jazz that subtly pushes the envelope whilst remaining thoroughly accessible to the listener.” An even more ambitious Riff Raff album “Challenger Deep” came out in 2018 after an extensive Arts Council funded UK tour. He is also a founder member of the much respected e17 jazz collective.
Matt Ridley
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 6 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’ released in October 2023.
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.
Tom Martin
Thomas Martin is one of the world’s best-known bassists who studied in America under Harold Roberts, Oscar Zimmerman, and Roger Scott. He has held prominent positions with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Israel Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as Principal bassist with l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, The Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the English Chamber Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Recently, Martin has focused on solo performances, appearing in recitals and concertos globally. His recordings of Giovanni Bottesini’s music have received critical acclaim.
He served as a senior professor of double bass at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal College of Music in London. Additionally, he studied violin making with Andrew Dipper and created 166 double basses before founding Thomas and George Martin Violin Makers with his son in 2008.
Example Schedule
Example Schedule
HIRE US / MAILING LIST
London Basses is happy to offer workshops to music organisations such as hubs or schools and we can offer tailor made workshops for you. If you would like to hire us or join our mailing list then please contact info@eloise-riddell.co.uk.
FAQ
Testimonials
“As a newcomer to the bass, I learned a lot of new techniques and discovered plenty of things I could improve upon in practice”
“The ensemble pieces were great and I was pleased I could choose to play at a level at which I felt confident but challenged”
“Such a friendly atmosphere. It was brilliant to meet other bass players, and share our enthusiasm for the instrument”
“I really enjoyed it, particularly the masterclass”
“Thank you for a great workshop and concert – we really enjoyed it a lot”
“Nate had a great day and I will certainly be passing the details of your next course on to other bass players I know”
“Just another fabulous day of finding dizzy heights on my double bass I have not explored before”
“Such fun and love the quartets and massed bass pieces”
“It was such a good experience for Oliver – he had a wonderful time”
“I really recommend this course to all bass players regardless of ability. My son doesn’t sight read very well but was given a lot of support and encouragement throughout the day and really enjoyed just playing good music with other bass players from children to adults.”
“It was wonderful”
“Massive bassy fun, and it’s legal. Yay!”
“Great teaching”
“I was totally thrilled that my c# harmonic worked in the concert!”
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Sponsors
Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments
London Basses workshops are kindly sponsored by Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments who provide a fascinating Q and A session for each workshop. Thwaites are a long established family run luthier business and Double Bass, Cello, Viola and Violin are all catered for. Services include full restorations to changing a set of strings, bow repairs and rehair in a selection of prices. Personal set ups to get the most from your instrument and expertise with specialist requirements for Baroque, Classical, Jazz and Folk instruments.
Spartan Press
Spartan Press Publishing Company supply us with music for our workshops. This includes music from Yorke Edition, Recital Music, Mctier Music, Four Bass Music and Vamoosh Music to name but a few. There is music on sale during each workshop and participants can request individual sheet music or tutor books before the workshop date which will be ready on the day.
Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra
Wimbledon-based Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra has more than 170 players aged 8-18 in its two orchestras. The Training Orchestra caters for players who are Grade 4-6, while the Main Orchestra comprises players who are Grade 7+. It rehearses on Sunday afternoons during school term time and performs three concerts a year in some of London’s leading venues. The Main Orchestra also undertakes a European tour each July. Auditions are held in September, January and April. Please contact Julian Hardwick for further details or click here.
Double Bass HQ
Double Bass HQ unite the double bass community by elevating events, fostering discussion, sharing knowledge, and supporting double bass creators.