Travis Riddle - Clarinet
was born in Charleston, West Virginia. At an early age, he was identified as having strong musical ability and a desire to learn music. He began studies in music in grade school which he excelled at through high school, having been a four time WV All-State Band member.

In 1986, he heard a performance at the West Virginia Jazz Festival at the Cultural Center in Charleston that would forever change his life. It was of legendary jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain with his New Orleans style jazz that overwhelmed him as a young seventeen- year old. After this performance, he decided that he would attend California State University to study music and become a studio musician in the Los Angeles area which he did for several years. While there he formed his first band and performed for several celebrity functions having met many actors from stage and screen.

Travis then felt that the time had come and turned his interest toward New Orleans and the jazz that he had been playing in California for a number of years. Finally, he met and played with his idol Pete Fountain. While there he met his wife Wendy, who is the third cousin of the late Al Hirt, another icon in the field of jazz. He remained there for 13 years earning his Ph.D. in music education, but it wasn’t until Hurricane Katrina destroyed his family’s home would the music temporarily stop and force him to move.

Travis took off a few years from the gig and stage scene, trying to re-construct his family’s life, but now he’s back, stronger than ever with, “Travis Riddle and the Bourbon Street Sound!”.  Check out his website at trjazz.com!