Rise

With performances at The Last Night of the Proms and the BAFTAs behind her, saxophonist Jess Gillam continues her ascension with a debut album that underlines her huge talent. A beautifully easy style and winning musical personality tie together a collection that might otherwise seem rather disparate. Rise cherry-picks from multiple styles of music, stretching from pure classical (Marcello, Dowland, Milhaud, and Shostakovich) to inventive pop (Kate Bush and David Bowie) via a new commission from saxophonist John Harle, based on Cumbrian folk music. It’s a lovely musical journey and Gillam is the perfect companion.