DECCA Credit is Robin Clewley Photography
©Photo: Robin Clewley Photography

JESS GILLAM CONTINUES TO ​‘RISE’ WITH FIRST CLASSICAL NO. 1 ALBUM

6/5/2019

On Friday 3 May, Jess Gillam debuts at the top of the Official UK Classical Chart with her critically-acclaimed album ​‘RISE’, released on 26 April on Decca Classics. This remarkable achievement makes Jess the youngest saxophonist ever to hit the No.1 spot of the classical charts. An instrument which is often forgotten in the classical world, the 20-year-old star has brought the saxophone into the spotlight, and back to the top of the charts. This totally unique album showcases Jess’ phenomenal talent as well as her diverse musical taste, with tracks ranging from John Williams and Shostakovich to David Bowie and Kate Bush.

On hearing of her chart success, Jess 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. “

Managing Director of Decca Classics, Dr Alexander Buhr, said: ​“Huge congratulations to all of the wonderful musicians who worked on this album, and first and foremost to Jess – a uniquely talented and inspiring artist. We are very proud to have her in the Decca family and I am certain she’ll be a major force on the label for years to come.”

This triumphant chart news comes at the end of a busy month for Jess – she launched her new BBC Radio 3 series ​‘This Classical Life’ in April, as the youngest presenter in the history of the station, which features other young musicians and creatives in the industry discussing their favourite music, from Bach to Beyoncé, and has been met with glowing reviews: 

She has proved that her stratospheric ascent is not only down to the dedication she has shown to excelling at her instrument, with playing described as ​“extraordinary” (The Times), but also her warm and approachable personality.