Women in Jazz Media: The Podcasts

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!

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 includingVasilis 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 withthe 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, performedby 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 alsoinvited 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 the2019 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 mylife and countless others, but to all my family and friends who get to share so many magical moments with us all around the world.’

Welcome to the second episode of our podcast series’Vanguard Voices’ from Hannah Horton and J Steps, celebrating emerging jazz talent and the voices of young women in music and media. Featuring honest conversations, shared experiences, and inspiring stories, the podcast is all about finding your voice and stepping into your own creative identity.

In this second episode J Steps talk to Anna Thirkettle, one of the original J Steppers!

⁠J steps links⁠

⁠Hannah Horton links⁠

Anna Thirkettle is a clarinettist, saxophonist and flautist from Cambridge. She holds a First-Class Honours degree from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in Clarinet Performance. She is currently working as a woodwind tutor in the Cambridgeshire area and freelance performer, and was a Graduate Music Assistant at Wells Cathedral School from 2025-2026.

Anna has a passion for woodwind doubling, which she studied over her four years at conservatoire with Paul Saunders. In her final year, she self-produced concert consisting of her arrangements of musical theatre favourites for clarinet choir and woodwind doubling quartet, as well as solo performances, performing on 11 different woodwind instruments in total. She regularly performs in amateur musicals on all combinations of saxophones, flutes and clarinets, most recently Reed 1 in ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Wells Little Theatre. In 2024 she played Reeds in ‘Our House’ the musical with National Youth Music Theatre at the Southwark Playhouse in London.

During her time at conservatoire, she performed in the RBC Symphony Orchestra, RBC Jazz Orchestra, CBSO Youth Orchestra, RBC Wind Ensembles, Folk Ensemble, for opera and in various chamber groups. Anna studied clarinet with Joanna Patton and Dougie Mitchell, saxophone with Andrew Tweed and flute with Diane Clarke. She has enjoyed performing in venues including Symphony Hall, Sinfonia Smith Square, Birmingham Town Hall and Barbican Hall.

Anna achieved an LTCL Diploma in Clarinet Performance aged 18, whilst studying in the junior department of the Guildhall School in Music and Drama with Andrew Harper. Before pursuing a degree in clarinet performance, Anna played principal clarinet in the English Schools’ Orchestra and National Youth Concert Band, and alto sax in J Steps jazz band.

Growing up, Hannah Horton faced challenges as a young saxophonist. As a girl in a predominantly male jazz environment, she often struggled to find a safe space where she could express herself without judgment. This lack of support led her to stop playing jazz for years, feeling disconnected from the music she loved.

Determined not to let other female and non-binary jazz musicians experience the same isolation, Hannah created J Steps. This community is a safe haven where every member is encouraged to embrace their individuality and passion for jazz. The "It's okay to be you" tagline embodies this ethos, reminding everyone that they are valued and accepted for who they are. At J Steps, it's not just about the music—it's about creating a nurturing environment where everyone can grow, explore, and thrive.

Welcome to our podcast series ‘On The Bookcase’, featuring female authors from across the world, with host Fiona Ross and original music from Hannah Horton.  

We were excited to find our podcasts named as one of the Top 15 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot! Huge thank you to them! You can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60 Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot! 

In this episode we welcome Maggie Doyle, to talk about her new book ‘Magy’s Farm – Where Music Grows’

You can listen to the episode on Spotify Apple and all major podcast platforms

Maggie is an award winning radio producer and former Editor of Music Programmes at BBC Radio Ulster where she worked for many years before taking early retirement in 2019. She graduated with an MA in Creative Writing with distinction from Queen's University Belfast in 2021 and published her firstbook 'Mountain Notes - A Nature Diary' in December 2021.

 She has co-written a song called 'Serenita' with Jude Johnstone which was included in Jude's last album 'Living Room' and she co-wrote an instrumental called 'Carmel' (a tribute to her sister) which Linley included on his album 'Making Other Arrangements'.

She also presents and produces a podcast called 'The Mountain Gate' about nature and the creative arts in her local area.

 Maggie is committed to supporting the growth of music on Magy's Farm and firmly believes in the power of music to provide joy and well being in people's lives.

"Magy’s Farm – Where Music Grows" can be orderedfrom https://bridgebooksdromore.co.uk/ and https://noalibis.com/ or people can email Maggie directly [email protected] to order.

Magy’s Farm website click here

Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with guest host for this episode Kim Cypher. In this episode, we welcome Fleur Stevenson

 Our podcasts have been featured at number 7 on the Top 10 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!

One of the UK’s most distinctive jazz vocalists, FleurStevenson captivates audiences with her honeyed tone, charismatic stage presence, and effortless phrasing. With warmth and subtlety, she brings each lyric to life, weaving stories with every note. Fleur’s impeccable sense oftiming, space, and improvisation pays homage to jazz greats like Shirley Horn and Anita O’Day, while her fresh, stylish interpretations of classic standards - and her tender, heartfelt delivery of romantic ballads - mark her out as a unique voice on the modern jazz scene. A must-hear for lovers of first-class,straight-ahead vocal jazz. Fleur is a respected figure on the UK jazz scene, regularly collaborating with some of the country’s top musicians, including Gareth Williams, Art Themen, Pete Billington, Dave Newton, Denny Ilett, Brandon Allen, Steve Brown, Sebastiaan de Krom, and Clark Tracey, to name just a few.She performs at many of the UK’s most prestigious venues, including the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the 606 Club, and the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho. Fleur's latest album (2022) with multi-instrumentalist Pete Billington, 'For All We Know', received much critical acclaim and is includedin the prestigious Jazz Views Best Albums of the Year Award, and also featured as one of Jazz Fuel's Best 30 Jazz Releases of 2022. The album is playful and light-hearted yet with a frisson of melancholy, songs such as ‘I’ve Got YouUnder My skin', ‘When Sunny Gets Blue' and ‘Stella by Starlight'.

Fleur website

Crow Jazz website

Welcome to the first episode of our new podcast Vanguard Voices from Hannah Horton in collaboration with J Steps, celebrating emerging jazz talent and the voices of young women in music and media. Featuring honest conversations, shared experiences, and inspiring stories, the podcast is all about finding your voice and stepping into your own creative identity.

In this first episode J Steps talk to Hannah Horton!

J steps links

Hannah Horton links

Growing up, Hannah Horton faced challenges as a young saxophonist. As a girl in a predominantly male jazz environment, she often struggled to find a safe space where she could express herself without judgment. This lack of support led her to stop playing jazz for years, feeling disconnected from the music she loved.

Determined not to let other female and non-binary jazz musicians experience the same isolation, Hannah created J Steps. This community is a safe haven where every member is encouraged to embrace their individuality and passion for jazz. The "It's okay to be you" tagline embodies this ethos,
reminding everyone that they are valued and accepted for who they are. At J Steps, it's not just about the music—it's about creating a nurturing environment where everyone can grow, explore, and thrive.

Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with guest host for this episode Fiona Ross.Our theme tune Nardis is from Hannah Horton.

In this episode, we welcome Tina Carr

Our podcasts have been featured at number 7 on the Top 10 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!

London-based, Tina is a relative newcomer to the scene, but not to the music – jazz was her first language. A few years ago, she walked away from a professional life workingwith freelance journalists and threw herself into the music she had been making all her life. First, she began listening again. “I listened at work, at home, in the car, in the street, at concerts, gigs, jams, opening my ears to music across every genre. It took me over.  And I began to sing again. A riper voice maybe – but a true one.”

With a love of great women singers, from Carmen Macrae, to Annie Ross, Sheila Jordan to Jessye Norman, Tina has her own take, telling stories through songs old, new and unusual and -increasingly - writing her own lyrics. With her torchy voice, Tina sings from experience, reaching out to audiences with a warm, authentic jazz vibe that is unique and moving.

Tina’s upcoming album 'Moon Over Mildmay' is being released on March 6th, with an album launch on February 18th.

Tickets to launch here

Tina’s links click here

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series ’The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here

In this episode, Lara talks to Alba Cabral

Alba Cabral is an award-winning Brazilian musician who began her career as a teenage percussionist in São Paulo’s street parades. After earning a degree in Languages from the University of São Paulo, she pursued further music studies in Europe and the UK. Based in London for 16 years, Alba completed a Master’s in Music Leadership at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, performing at festivals, recording as a singer and instrumentalist, and teaching in schools.

Her training includes Body Percussion (Barbatuques), Body Music (Keith Terry), Senegalese Sabar (Modou Diouf), and Brazilian Percussion (Ari Colares). Recently, Alba released her debut single “Xote da Amamentação”, a heartfelt tribute to motherhood and breastfeeding, featuring guest musicians—mostly mothers—and artwork by Ula Basinska. Available on all digital platforms.

Alba website

Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished and reputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as a genre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and is in demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album ‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at the infamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the Medieval Byzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association.

Lara Eidi website

Welcome to the 4th episode of our drummer focused series‘Sticks and Thrones’ with host Migdalia Van Der Hoven, with our guest Red Fielder-van Kleeff

 Our podcasts are available on all platforms and are currently at number 6 in the top 60 best Jazz podcast on FeedSpot featuring original music from Migdalia Van Der Hoven available here

Migdalia van der Hoven is an International Award winning Mexican drummer currently touring with SIX theMusical across the UK. She is also a Vater Drumsticks, Bosphorus Cymbals and RTOM Corporation artist and a Berklee College of Music graduate (where she studied and performed with Jackie Santos, Terri Lynn Carrington, Victor Mendoza and Mark Walker). She is known for her groove, sensitivity and versatility across multiple genres such as funk, jazz, fusion, latin jazz, pop and world music. She became the first Mexican Female drummer to ever perform at Ronnie Scott’s and the EFG London Jazz Festival. Migdaliahas become “Woman of the year 2022” in Mexico in arts and culture for her contribution in music nationally and internationally.

Follow Migdalia here

Red Fielder-van Kleeff is a drummer/percussionist, and graduated from the Royal Northern College of Musicin 2024.  Red is currently touring the UK with Defying Gravity - West End Women, and previously toured with ELF the musical, at the moment she is playing for jazz artist Bryony Jarman Pinto with an upcoming show in São Paulo on the 24th October. 

Red has performed across the UK and internationally for various different projects and artists across her career so far. 

Find Red on Instagram here

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here

 In this episode, Lara talks to Filomena Campus

 Filomena Campus is a jazz vocalist, composer, lyricist, academic, theatre director, and radio presenter, who wasborn in Sardinia, and since 2001 has been based in London, England. Her performance style characteristically fuses jazz, theatre, performance art, and literature. She is the founder of the company Theatralia, and has curated the Theatralia Jazz Festival. In December 2023, Campus was awarded the honour of “Cavaliera” (Dame) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

More on filomenacampus.me

Upcoming Show:

2025: Nov 9 |Filomena Campus Quartet | The Pheasantry, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Chelsea |London Tickets here

Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished and reputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as a genre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true giftof a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and is in demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal,and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album ‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of herfolk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at the infamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon formthe Medieval Byzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association. 

Lara Eidi website

Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes Anjali Perin

 Our podcasts have been featured at number 7 on the Top 10 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!

Anjali Perin is a vocalist, pianist, songwriter and arranger-producer specialising in jazz, funk and soul working as a full time musician since graduating from the Jazz Mastersprogramme at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama after leaving her previous career as a corporate lawyer to pursue her musical path. . Her first jazz album was signed to Jazzizit records and featured some of the best jazz musicians inthe UK.

She works as a performer, songwriter with a variety of freelance musicians across the British jazz and soul scene, and is a University lecturer on songwriting degree and Masters programmes in London.  In 2016, she establisheda community choir for Mums in her local area of St Albans, Mamas With Voices,  and has also worked a deputychoir-leader with the NHS choir Breathe Harmony featuring staff from St Thomas’ and Guys’ Hospitals in London as a Breathe Arts Health Research Artist. She has also lectured inhigher music education for a number of years and is currently a Senior Lecturer on the Master in Songwriting and Bachelor of Songwriting programmes at the Institute of Contemporary Music Ltd in London. Where she teaches a variety of writing and perfomance-focussed Modules.

Anjali’s performing highlights performing with her own bands at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club (Dean Street), the Spice of Life, Smollensky’s on the Strandand both the Royal Festival Hall and National Theatre as part of their jazz events programme. She has also performed at the Love Supreme festival and for Quincy Jones at The Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland.

Anjali also was commissioned as lead composer to write the majority of songs for a work-in progress musical theatre work “The Coloured Valentino” with script by BeverlyAndrews, which is in production under She’s Diverse and Circles Productions which has received funding for development by The Arts Council.

Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album hasbeen going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw. Hannah Horton website