A talented multi-instrumentalist, Tristan is the youngest person ever to win the Grand National Fiddle Championships, successfully achieving that title for the past two years. Beyond his extensive contest achievements, he is a brilliant acoustic-eclectic musician, spanning many genres of music and instruments with an individual style that is clearly unique and beautifully expressive. Mark O'Connor writes "It would be very difficult to detect Tristan's youth because of his mature phrasing and old time flair. He has a lot going on in that musical mind of his and will step out in life to make wonderful contributions through his music".

He is an inventive cellist, one of the few in the country to adapt rhythmic celtic and bluegrass playing to the cello - influenced by great players Natalie Haas and Rushad Eggleston. His mandolin playing also shows amazing creativity with styles ranging from bluegrass, celtic and jazz to complex Texas-style guitar rhythm. His mandolin influences include, Chris Thile, Mike Marshall, Tim O'Brien, and Darol Anger. Mick Moloney writes in his notes for the Clarridges' CD My Lily,: "Tristan and his sister Tashina play an impressive mixture of bluegrass, Texas-style, old time and Cape Breton tunes in their rapidly expanding repertoire. They are sure to become nationally and internationally recognized".