Jess Gillam MBE (Saxophone)

Biography

Hailing from Ulverston in Cumbria, Jess Gillam is a trailblazer in the music world. She made history as the first saxophonist in the finals of BBC Young Musician and the youngest soloist at the Last Night of the Proms in 2018.

In 2020, she won the ARIA Award for Best Specialist Music Show with her BBC Radio 3 program, This Classical Life. As the first saxophonist exclusively signed to Decca Classics, both her albums reached No. 1 in the UK Classical Music Charts. Recognized with a Classic BRIT Award and an M.B.E., Jess is an advocate for the power of music in society.

Her lockdown project, the 'Virtual Scratch Orchestra,' united 2,000 participants globally, showcasing the universal language of music. As a patron for Awards for Young Musicians and London Music Fund, Jess collaborates with and performs alongside young talents.

Currently holding the position of Artist in Association at the Royal Albert Hall, Jess actively promotes her concert series, featuring international talent, in her hometown of Ulverston. Jess is also a Vandoren UK Artist and became the youngest-ever endorsee for Yanagisawa saxophones at just 13 years old.