Anthony Tidd
British-born bassist, composer, and Creative Music Program Director.
Anthony Tidd, a bassist, composer, producer, curator, and Guggenheim Fellow, was born in London to Trinidadian immigrants and has lived in the United States since 1999. He began his musical training at age five at London’s Newham Academy of Music, studying classical violin, and later picked up the electric bass. After leaving Newham at 16, he attended Thurrock College and then Goldsmiths University.
Tidd’s professional career kicked off in the 1990s with the group Quite Sane, alongside guitarist Eric Appapoulay and drummer Richard Cassell. The band started with covers of James Brown and Michael Jackson before moving into fusion music by artists like Chick Corea and the Yellowjackets, eventually recording the album *The Child of Troubled Times*. Around this time, a bandmate introduced Tidd to saxophonist Steve Coleman. Coleman and Richard Nichols—manager of the then-unsigned Roots—flew to London to hear Tidd play after a strong recommendation from Steve Coleman. Tidd later moved to the U.S. in 1999 with help from Nichols and Coleman and co-founded the production team Noize Trip with Melvin “Chaos” Lewis.
As a touring bassist, Tidd has shared stages with Steve Coleman, The Roots, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Wayne Krantz, Meshell Ndegeocello, Common, and Jill Scott. He continues to tour and record regularly with Steve Coleman’s ensembles. His production and performance work has also involved Common, Jill Scott, The Black Eyed Peas, and Macy Gray, and he frequently collaborates with members of The Roots.
In 2010, Tidd became the Creative Music Program Director at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, building the program from scratch to teach theory, harmony, rhythm, ear training, improvisation, sight reading, and jazz history. He also curates a free monthly jam session there called “Sittin In,” which he sees as a way to revive the live jam-session spirit of the Black Lily era and showcase Philadelphia-area talent. Tidd describes his mission as bringing the public back to appreciating creative music. He also owns the recording studio Tidbit Sonos.
Beyond performance and education, Tidd has composed music for the United Nations, the BBC, American Airlines, and film and television. In 2016, he was selected for the Jazz Composers Orches
- born
- London, England
- field
- Bass player, composer, music producer, curator
- nationality
- British (Trinidadian immigrant parents)
- known_for
- Touring and recording with Steve Coleman; Creative Music Program Director at Kimmel Center; Guggenheim Fellow
Lore & Background
Anthony Tidd was born in London, England to Trinidadian immigrants. At age 5 he enrolled at London's Newham Academy of Music, studying classical violin and later electric bass. He attended Newham until age 16, then Thurrock College and Goldsmiths University. His professional career began as a teenager with the group Quite Sane in the 1990s, formed with guitarist Eric Appapoulay and drummer Richard Cassell. The group recorded the album The Child of Troubled Times. During the late 1990s, Tidd was introduced to Steve Coleman's music by a bandmate; Coleman and The Roots' manager Richard Nichols flew to London to hear him play after a recommendation from Steve Coleman. Tidd later moved to the U.S. in 1999 with help from Nichols and Coleman, forming the production team Noize Trip with Melvin “Chaos” Lewis.
Reader's Guide
Anthony Tidd's significance lies in his dual role as a performer and educator bridging the transatlantic jazz scene. As a bassist, he has been a key collaborator with Steve Coleman and The Roots, contributing to the evolution of modern jazz and hip-hop fusion. His work as Creative Music Program Director at the Kimmel Center since 2010 has built a comprehensive educational program in theory, harmony, rhythm, ear training, improvisation, sight reading, and jazz history. He also curates the free monthly jam session 'Sittin In,' reviving the live jam session culture in Philadelphia. His Guggenheim Fellowship and compositions for the United Nations, BBC, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra underscore his broad impact. Tidd's legacy is one of nurturing creative music appreciation and fostering new talent while maintaining an active international performance career.
Did You Know?
- Anthony Tidd began studying classical violin at age 5 at London's Newham Academy of Music.
- He formed the group Quite Sane in the 1990s with guitarist Eric Appapoulay and drummer Richard Cassell.
- Steve Coleman flew to London to hear Tidd play after a recommendation from Greg Osby.
- Tidd composed music for the United Nations, BBC, American Airlines, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
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