BBC Young Musician Woodwind Final
Yanagisawa Saxophones are proud to announce that award winning saxophonist – and Yanagisawa artist - Jess Gillam has won the Woodwind Category final of this year’s BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. Jess will now compete in the Semi-Final with other category finalists - to be broadcast on BBC Four on Saturday 7th May.
Seventeen year old Jess started playing saxophone aged seven. Her impressive list of achievements include performing as a concerto soloist with the Worthing Symphony Orchestra and a guest appearance with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Jess was also the youngest solo performer at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg and leads her own annual concert series in Ulverston that has seen performances from such artists as Snake Davis, Courtney Pine and John Harle.
Jess plays Yanagisawa Custom Engraved AWO20 Alto and S901U Un-lacquered Soprano Saxophones. Her performances of Pequena Czarda (Itturalde), Fujiko (Andy Scott) and Sonata, 1st movt. (Phil Woods) won over the Woodwind Category judges - acclaimed flute soloist Adam Walker and leading recorder virtuoso Pamela Thorby.
Jess is delighted with her Yanagisawa Saxophones used in the competition. She states, “I couldn’t live without my Yanagisawa Custom Engraved AWO2O – it’s such a responsive and resonant instrument with a unique, warm and mellow tone.”
The Semi-Final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year is available to view on BBC Four on Saturday 7th May with performances also broadcast on BBC Radio 3.