Welcome to the latest episode of Sticks and Thrones, the podcast series dedicated to platforming drummers from across the world. Music for this episode is Northern See Wind by Abbie Finn from her Abbie Finn Trio album ‘On Pink Lane’ available here

 In this episode we welcome our guest host Abbie Finn who invited Aicha Djidjelli to talks about all things drums! You can listen here

Abbie Finn is a drummer from the North-East of England. Her current main projects are the Abbie Finn Trio, and the Finn-Keeble Group. She performs with many other local groups, and is a regular drummer for artists visiting the area including Vasilis Xenopoulos, Andrea Vicari, Greg Abate, Alan Barnes and more.

Abbie studied Jazz drums under Sebastiaan De Krom at Leeds Conservatoire, gaining a 1st Class Degree with honours. She went on to complete a master’s degree at Trinity Laban in London. Abbie is currently writing music and performing with the Finn-Keeble Group, co-leading alongside Harry Keeble, and featuring hugely admired performers John Pope and Dean Stockdale. Their original compositions form a set of highly energetic and engaging contemporary jazz, performed by some of the finest musicians in the North-East.

She has released 4 trio albums with Paul Grainger and Harry Keeble, the latest of which was funded by the Ronnie Scott’s charitable foundation and successfully launched at the Pizza Express Jazz club in Soho, London. The band were also invited to perform at the 2024 BBC Proms at the Glasshouse. The trio received rave reviews and radio plays across the UK and beyond, and their music was dubbed ‘Exceptional British Jazz’ by Chris Philips of Jazz FM. Abbie also had a taking off feature in the Jazzwise April 2023 edition and was dubbed the ‘one to watch this month’ and a ‘crucial member of the thriving North-East scene.

Abbie Finn links here

Aicha Djidjelli is a drummer and percussionist who is working with some of the finest musicians and song writers of our generation. She first performed with Hans Zimmer in 2014 for the ‘Hans Zimmer revealed' shows at Hammersmith. She’s since played over 200 live shows with Hans around the world whilst recording on various film scores. Including the 2019 Disney remake of the Lion King and Dune II where she received a Grammy award. Most recently Aicha was a drum arranger and performer for the critically

Acclaimed F1 movie starring Brad Pitt. Aicha has a distinctly unique sound. Whilst having African roots and being born and bread in the UK, these two cultures have crafted a unique style of drumming making her a versatile choice for only the best projects. Mojo once described her drumming as having a ‘hammer to feather feel’ highlighting the dynamic range and depth within her style. Aicha is an intuitive and emotive musician and is only associated with the best projects. 

Aicha Djidjelli links here

A NOTE ABOUT HANS ‘Working with Hans is both a blessing and an education. He brings so much joy, not only to my life and countless others, but to all my family and friends who get to share so many magical moments with us all around the world.’