A concert full of memorable tunes and toe-tapping dances with the electrifying saxophonist Jess Gillam bringing folk-inspired music for strings to life.

From the Scottish Isles in Macmillan’s punchy saxophone concerto to the idyllic English countryside of Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, the evening showcases the rich variety of folk-influenced classical music. As well as spanning the globe, tonight’s music also traverses time, transporting you from the Renaissance with Dowland’s Flow My Tears to now, with Jessie Montgomery’s spiky Strum.

Music at Oxford: London Mozart Players with Jess Gillam

University of Oxford

From the Scottish Isles in Macmillan’s punchy Saxophone Concerto to the pastoral English countryside of Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, the programme showcases the rich variety of folk-influenced classical music. As well as spanning the globe, tonight’s music also traverses time, transporting you from Dowland’s olde lute-inspired Flow My Tears to the contemporary pizzicato in Jessie Montgomery’s Strum.  

A Place in Time: Jess Gillam and LMP

St Martin-in-the-Fields

Join us for an exhilarating evening as Jess Gillam, the brilliant saxophonist hailed for her dynamic and joyful performances, makes her Grayshott Concerts debut. Known for her infectious energy and unique style, Jess has been enchanting audiences worldwide and breaking new ground for the saxophone in classical music. Together with the London Mozart Players, she will guide us through a diverse programme that showcases the saxophone’s versatility, moving from classical to jazz-inspired pieces.

EPSG:4326

A Festival of the Saxophone

St Luke's Church, Grayshott

She plays his concerto Briggflatts, conceived for her artistry, the title referring to Basil Bunting’s poem steeped in Gilliam’s native Cumbria. Its finale, ‘RANT!’, is an exhilarating romp of toe-tapping Cumbrian folk-tunes guaranteed to bring the house down. As Poska has been called ‘One of the most distinctive and interesting Sibelius interpreters I’ve heard for some time’ (Gramophone), the prospect of her conducting the composer’s First Symphony is tantalising. Virile in spirit and imbued with melodic freshness, the work announced the arrival of one of the all-time great symphonists.

The Hallé in Hanley

Victoria Hall

Estonian Kristiina Poska begins her second visit to the Hallé with Britten’s atmospheric Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes. Also returning is superstar saxophonist Jess Gillam, who’s been described by composer John Harle as a ‘young virtuoso with huge energy, a soaring sound, and an unforgettable presence.’

Sibelius Symphony No.1

The Bridgewater Hall

British saxophonist Jess Gillam is one of music’s young firecrackers. At 15, she gave a TEDx talk on her instrument, receiving over 100,000 views on YouTube. Her pioneering approach to concerts includes a desire to see more dancing, cheering and clapping between movements, saying, “an instinctive reaction from the audience only prove[s] the joy of music”.

Recital: Jess Gillam saxophone

Aspen Meadows Resort

Superstar saxophonist Jess Gillam performs John Harle’s Briggflatts, a saxophone concerto with three movements, ‘Flares’, ‘Garsdale’ and ‘Rant!’ and is based on an autobiographical poem by Basil Bunting of the same name.

Mcr:classical – Pictures at an Exhibition

Jess Gillam shot to fame becoming the first saxophonist to reach the finals of BBC Young Musician and the youngest ever soloist to perform at the Last Night of the Proms. She is now an international celebrity and has a regular presence in the UK, including her weekly Saturday afternoon show on BBC Radio 3; This Classical Life.

Jess Gillam Ensemble

Corn Exchange

An inspiring fixture on radio and TV, Cumbrian-born Jess Gillam is first and foremost a world-class saxophonist. She brings her invigorating musical personality to a typically adventurous collection of music across diverse styles and sounds for the last of our New Dimensions concerts.

John Harle

Events

Upcoming events

11 - 13 Mar, 2026

Saxophone Dreams with Jess Gillam · Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Past events

Jun 2, 2025

Music at Oxford: London Mozart Players with Jess Gillam · London Mozart Players

May 30, 2025

A Place in Time: Jess Gillam and LMP · London Mozart Players

About

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