Jess Gillam

'... I've rarely felt such a connection with the listener and tone colours to die for.' - Alice McVeigh of Jess Gillam's performance at the finals of the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.

British saxophonist and radio presenter Jess Gillam was born in Ulverston, Cumbria on 24 May 1998. While at secondary school she studied at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music, and then at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, but left early, before completing her course. During the COVID-19 pandemic she studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London.

Her first album, RISE, was very popular in the UK, and she became the first saxophonist to be signed to Decca Classics and the youngest person to present programmes on BBC Radio 3. In 2019 she formed her own band, the Jess Gillam Ensemble.

Further information: jessgillamsax.co.uk

 

A selection of articles about Jess Gillam

Ensemble. In Nottingham's Albert Hall - Mike Wheeler feels privileged to hear works by young composers at a BBC Proms concert in Nottingham

Spotlight. An Enterprising Addition - Gerald Fenech listens to music by Karl Jenkins. '... the trump card of this issue must be Jess Gillam ...'

Classical music news - Jess Gillam - The British saxophonist and her ensemble join Intermusica Artists' Management Ltd

Ensemble. Particularly Engaging - Mike Wheeler listens to Elgar, Anna Clyne, Ravel and Beethoven from Jess Gillam, Ben Gernon and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Ensemble. Bright Spots - Mike Wheeler listens to Jess Gillam and the Hallé Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell

Ask Alice - Classical Music Agony Aunt Alice McVeigh on the UK's 'Young Musician of the Year'