Photo: Robin Clewley
Biography
Hailing from Ulverston in Cumbria, after performing at the Last Night of the Proms in 2018 Jess Gillam continues to grow her international career, bringing classical music to new audiences through both her live performances and her work on television and radio.
This season, she will perform with leading orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Brno Philharmonic, and Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, before embarking upon her first US Recital Tour on the East coast. Passionate about exploring the versatility of the saxophone, she will also be touring with her ‘Jess Gillam Ensemble’, performing an electrifying range of music.
Jess is the first ever saxophonist to be signed to Decca Classics and recently released her debut album “Rise”, featuring selected pieces ranging from Shostakovich to David Bowie, which became No.1 in the Official UK Classical Charts. Also working on TV and radio, she became the youngest ever presenter for BBC Radio 3, hosting her own weekly show called “This Classical Life”.
Recipient of a Classic BRIT Award, she was the first ever saxophonist to reach the final of BBC Young Musician of the Year, and performed live at the BAFTA to millions of viewers at home in 2019.
A free spirit in style and character, she is a passionate advocate for the power of music in society, often combining her concert engagements with educational and social projects, working towards full inclusivity of ethnicities, genders, disabilities and social backgrounds with equal access to the arts. Jess is a lover of live music and continues to promote her own concert series, bringing international talent to her hometown of Ulverston.
Jess Gillam was nominated by Sage Gateshead
Performance dates
30/09/2020
Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam
11/10/2020
BOZAR Brussels
25/10/2020
Kölner Philharmonie
12/11/2020
Wiener Konzerthaus
14/11/2020
Müpa Budapest
28/11/2020
NOSPR Katowice
19/01/2021
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
23-24/01/2021
Sage Gateshead
13/02/2021
Konzerthaus Dortmund
20/02/2021
Konserthuset Stockholm
16/05/2021
Casa da Música Porto
19/05/2021
Palau de la Música Catalana Barcelona
01/06/2021
Philharmonie Luxembourg
18/07/2021
Festspielhaus Baden-Baden
