Jack Manders – 2025 UK Zildjian Young drummer of the year.

Jack is from North Cornwall. He started playing the drums at the age of 1 and from the age of 4 he has been inspiring young musicians and wowing audiences with his natural groove and amazing drumming skills.

Jack has been listed in the Top 40 under 16’s Young Drummer of Year 9 years running making it as a Finalist 4 years running in 2022, 2023, 2024 and now 2025. Jack has had his own night at the pizza express live jazz club in London and throughout 2024 Jack grew a lot of attention on social media having over 20k on instagram and over 40k on tiktok !

Jack’s goal is to be a touring musician, as-well as being his own artist he is inspired by many drummers like Yussef Dayes, Roni Kaspi, Elvin Jones, Derrick Mckenzie, John Blackwell, Zack Grooves and many more.

Jack has a very open mind towards different music and has a wide variety of experience playing different genres. He wishes to inspire the next generation of drummers

ABOUT Zildjian YOUNG DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Founded in 2002, Young Drummer of the year offers contestants (16 and under) a platform to highlight their drumming talent on a national and international stage. Since the competition’s inception, the event has seen tremendous growth, attracting an ever-increasing number of entries and seeing the very best in terms of drumming talent. The U.K. Young Drummer of the Year competition finals are held in February at a central location, with the winner receiving a trophy, prestigious title, and often, drum and cymbal endorsement deals.

September 1, 2024 – (Norwell, MA) Avedis Zildjian Co. (Zildjian) today unveiled plans to expand the U.K. Young Drummer of the Year contest – the U.K.’s original and largest young drummer competition – into the Zildjian Young Drummer of the Year Competition. Partnering with Young Drummer of the Year founder, Mike Dolbear, Zildjian will continue to hold the competition in the U.K. and will expand the competition’s footprint globally.

“Our company is rooted in supporting drummers throughout their musical journey and it is an honor to enter into a long-term partnership with Mike Dolbear to highlight the immensely talented drummers who compete in the U.K., and soon expand Young Drummer of the Year globally,” said Zildjian CEO John Stephans. “Helping drummers find their sound throughout the world is at the heart of what we do, and we can’t wait to meet all the drummers who will be participating in 2025 and beyond.”

The expanded partnership will focus on support for the upcoming 2025 U.K. Young Drummer of the Year competition, with global expansion details to be shared in late 2024.

“The Young Drummer of the Year competition has been a huge and important part of my life for 22 years. I’m so proud of what we have achieved and the amazing talent we have seen and nurtured over the years,” said founder Mike Dolbear. “We have had wonderful support from the industry, and I am very excited to announce that I will partner with Zildjian for all the future Young Drummer competitions. Zildjian is one of the biggest musical brands in the world and they understand the importance of looking after the next generations of drummers. Zildjian will be the perfect fit to help take the competition to the next level and together we will be taking the competitions around the world!”

Zildjian Young drummer of the year 2025 is sponosoed by Gretsch drums, Vic Firth and Remo drum heads

“The Young Drummer of the Year competition will continue to expand, with a US event happening in late 2025 (more details coming soon). Also, be on the lookout for another big announcement at the European Drum Show about how the competition is continuing to spread throughout the globe!”

Jack is appearing in association with Zildjian.