Jess hits the top with début album

Third year undergraduate Jess Gillam has made history, becoming the youngest saxophonist to hit the top of the classical charts with her début album RISE.

Released on Friday 26 April on Decca Classics, RISE showcases Jess’ talent and diverse musical taste with tracks ranging from John Williams and Shostakovich to David Bowie and Kate Bush.

© Robin Clewley

She said: ‘If someone had told me – when I first picked up a saxophone in the Barracudas Carnival Band in Barrow-on-Furness – that I would get a classical number one for my first album release, I wouldn’t have believed them in a million years! It has been so exciting to record my debut with the team at Decca Classics, and special thanks to the producer John Harle, BBC Concert Orchestra and Milos for being a part of RISE.

‘Music has been such an important part of my life and the tracks included on the album are very personal to me, so it’s overwhelming that there has been such an amazing response to it so far.’

This incredible success isn’t the first time Jess has made history. Earlier last month she become BBC Radio 3’s youngest ever presenter as the station launched her new series, This Classical Life.

7 May 2019