Ten teenage drummers from across the country took to the stage at Lighthouse, Poole on Sunday for the final of the Zildjian Young Drummer of the Year competition.
Now in its 24th year, the contest brings together some of the most talented young percussionists aged 16 and under. The finalists each faced three challenges on the day: performing a two-minute solo, playing along to a pre-recorded track, and joining a live band to perform a piece they heard for the first time that day. The judging panel featured some of the UK’s leading session and touring drummers, including Ash Soan (Taylor Swift, Rod Stewart and Snow Patrol), Ben Thomas (Rag ‘N’ Bone Man), Rob Rolfe (Enter Shikari) and former winner JJ Wallace, who has since played with Jorja Smith and Celeste.
The title was won by 16-year-old Ellis Gates from London, who returned to the competition after narrowly missing out last year.
‘The competition was an amazing experience, just as it was last year,’ he said. ‘This year I felt more prepared, and when I performed my solo I felt calm and focused.’
Ellis, who began playing drums as a toddler after receiving a toy drum kit from his grandmother, now studies at the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy and hopes to continue his music education in New York.
Founder Mike Dolbear praised the standard of this year’s finalists. ‘Huge congratulations to all of them – they were incredible,’ he said.
The competition has been hosted at Lighthouse since 2023 and continues to grow internationally, with finals now being staged in the United States and across parts of Europe.
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