Jordan Ashman, percussionist

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music and who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?

My parents have supported me all the way. Winning the BBC Young Musician was the final confirmation I could make a career out of music as I was thinking of being a sound engineer!

What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?

Learning the Jennifer Higdon Percussion Concerto in 3 months! Also currently, juggling being at conservatoire, with the opportunities that are now coming my way, and trying to have a social life too!

Which performances/recordings are you most proud of?

The percussion final of BBC Young Musician (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00bb3wt/clips?page=2) and playing the Higdon Concerto in the Grand Final (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001d03p). Performing a solo in Ely Cathedral and playing at Wigmore Hall with my Junior RCM percussion trio.

Which particular works/composers do you think you perform best?

Solo marimba works which are really expressive such as Oetomo’s Over the Rainbow and Fantasy No.5

What do you do off stage that provides inspiration on stage?

Immediately before I go on stage I sit with sticks in hand and concentrate on my breathing. I also imagine a story that the music conjures up for me which gets me in the zone.

How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season?

I choose repertoire that will advance my playing while being fun and challenging.

Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?

I really enjoy playing in churches and cathedrals because the marimba sounds so beautiful in that acoustic. I also really love the Royal Festival Hall and the Bridgewater Hall was really cool.

What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music’s audiences?

People need to be encouraged out again after Covid so they remember how great live music is. Classical music needs to be accessible for all. Percussion-wise I’m trying to show how varied percussion can be as a solo instrument and educate people about this.

What is your most memorable concert experience?

BBC Young Musician Grand Final.

As a musician, what is your definition of success?

When you achieve a goal however big or small whether learning a new piece or winning a big competition

What advice would you give to young/aspiring musicians?

Make sure you master the basics. Use your practice time well. Own the stage – the audience are there for you.

What’s the one thing in the music industry we’re not talking about which you think we should be?

The versatility of percussion!

Tell us about your upcoming recital at this year’s Cheltenham Music Festival.

I’m really excited to show of the versatility of percussion. I’m playing a wide variety of instruments and a UK premiere of Flex by Anna Meredith (a piece for unspecified instruments!). I’m playing beautiful marimba pieces, jazz vibraphone and multi percussion / drums too.

What’s next? Where would you like to be in 10 years?

I’d like to be playing lots of concerts and inspiring and teaching the next generation.

Jordan Ashman is performing twice at this year’s Cheltenham Music Festival, in a Spotlight: BBC Young Musician recital, 11th July, 5:30pm, and a set at the Festival’s rule-free Mixtape concert on 12th July, 8pm.

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Jordan Ashman’s winning performance of Jennifer Higdon’s Percussion Concerto, was broadcast on BBC Four and BBC Radio 3, accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Mark Wigglesworth.

Jordan won the 2022 British Open Brass Band Championship under 18s Solo Competition. He has also won the “most promising” player award in the 2020-2021 Southern Percussion International Tuned Competition, the solo percussion prize in Foden’s online competition and the Davison Young Musician’s Patron’s Award. He is currently principal percussionist with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain where he has been awarded the percussion prize for the last 3 years. He was thrilled to win the prestigious Harry Mortimer Award in 2022.

Jordan became interested in playing in brass bands from an early age and joined the City of Cambridge Brass Band aged 10. He was then invited to play with the Virtuosi GUS Band and he made his debut appearance aged 13. Jordan has just been signed by Tredegar Band (currently ranked fourth in the world) and will play with them at the National Finals in the Royal Albert Hall in October. Jordan was also a member of Youth Brass 2000, the current National Champions, with whom he also toured Italy this year.

Jordan began playing drum kit aged 7 at school tutored by Ian Pickering. Currently, Jordan studies with Toby Kearney at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he has received a scholarship award.

(Artist biography courtesty of YCAT)