Jess Gillam receives MBE at Windsor Castle

At an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle last week, saxophonist Jess Gillam received her MBE from HRH Princess Anne. Gillam was initially awarded the honour in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours list for her services to music.

During lockdown Gillam formed a Virtual Scratch Orchestra for musicians of any level. Over 2,000 people of all ages from around 30 different countries took part in the orchestra’s three performances.

Gillam said: ‘I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to learn music in the first place but that shouldn’t be down to luck - everyone should have the chance to access the arts. I am hugely grateful to everyone who has supported me and helped me along the way.’

In 2016 Gillam was the first saxophonist to reach the BBC Young Musician finals, becoming the Last Night of the Proms’ youngest soloist ever two years later at age 20. Gillam has since performed in worldwide with orchestras including the NDR Hannover, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic as well as the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra.

Aged just 23, Gillam’s career is flourishing. In addition to her performance career, she is a TV and radio presenter. From her beginnings as BBC Radio 3’s youngest ever presenter with her weekly show This Classical Life, she has also been a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and 4 as well as BBC Radio Cumbria.

The first saxophonist ever to be signed exclusively to Decca Classics, Gillam’s two albums have both topped the UK Classical Music Charts. She is currently Wigmore Hall’s artist in residence, and is also a European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO) rising star performing across Europe. 

You can find out more about Jess Gillam here