About

About Jordan

Length: Short biography (305 words) Long biography (472 words) CV (590 words)

Jordan Ashman is a British percussionist, who won the Grand Final of the 2022 BBC Young Musician, and was subsequently named a "Rising Star" by BBC Music Magazine and The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he has played concertos and recitals in many renowned venues, as well as playing within some of the leading orchestras. He recently graduated with first class honours from The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under Toby Kearney, where he won the Rollason Prize, the Percussion Prize and the Winifred Micklam Prize. In September 2026, he started a master's degree at The Royal Academy of Music, under Neil Percy.

As a concerto soloist, Jordan toured with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, performing Jennifer Higdon's Percussion Concerto, which The Times reviewed as "terrific". Other concertos include the UK premier of Robert Honstein's Juvenalia at Symphony Hall Birmingham, a tour with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, and concertos with the City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra and Norfolk Symphony Orchestra.

Other performances include recitals at prestigious international festivals including the Cheltenham Music Festival, Leeds International Concert Season, Thaxted Festival and The Roman River Festival. After his performance at the Cheltenham Festival, he was hailed as a "real star in the making" by The Telegraph and as "exceptional" by BBC Music Magazine. He has also performed at venues including The Bridgewater Hall Manchester, Bristol Beacon, The Wigmore Hall and The Roundhouse London.

Collaborations have included performing with Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, leading a creative project with Delia Stevens and members of the NYO, and working with Owen Gunnell on a "junk" recycling music project which he performed at The Mansion House London.

Jordan is interested in educating the next generation and has tutored the percussion section of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain as well as presenting workshops for various music education services.

As a keen orchestral player Jordan has played professionally with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Britten Sinfonia and the Birmingham Royal Ballet Sinfonia, with whom he is now on trial.

Outside of the classical world, Jordan enjoys playing drum kit, as featured in his entrepreneurial presentation of "Convergence" - an event combining jungle music with a live band, including a collaboration with tabla player Dalbir Singh. He has also played at jazz venues such as Ronnie Scott's and the 606 Club.

Forthcoming events include a collaboration with The Manson Ensemble at The RAM, recitals in Cambridge and for the Red Kite Concert Series, and playing the marimba version of the Verdi Requiem with choir and orchestra!

Jordan is extremely grateful to be an LSO Conservatoire Scholar, and is also supported by The Munster Trust, The Wayne Sleep Foundation and a Royal Academy of Music scholarship. He would also like to thank YCAT for their support through the BBC Young Musician aftercare scheme.

You can find out more from Jordan's website (www.jordanashman.com), follow him on Instagram (jordan_ashman_percussion) and X (jordashmanperc), and stream him on Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music (jordan_ashman_percussion).