This Classical Life

Jess Gillam is joined by Lloyd Coleman, composer, clarinettist and associate music director of the British Paraorchestra. Their musical choices include a sabre dance, sounds of the sea from Debussy, a 'modern classic' by Anna Meredith, the glorious finale of Sibelius's Fifth Symphony and Kraftwerk.From musical beginnings in a carnival band, to being the first ever saxophone finalist in BBC Young Musician, and appearances at the Last Night of the Proms in 2018 and at this year’s Bafta awards, Jess is one of today’s most engaging and charismatic classical performers. Each week on This Classical Life, Jess will be joined by young musicians to swap tracks and share musical discoveries across a wide range of styles, revealing how music shapes their everyday lives. This Classical Life is also available as a podcast on BBC Sounds.

Jess Gillam presents her new show, with the bassoonist Amy Harman, principal bassoon with Aurora Orchestra and English National Opera. Their music ranges from Bernstein's Candide Overture to music by Handel and Vivaldi, some classic Miles Davis and new music by Caroline Shaw.From musical beginnings in a carnival band, to being the first ever saxophone finalist in BBC Young Musician, and appearances at the Last Night of the Proms in 2018 and at this year’s BAFTA awards, Jess is one of today’s most engaging and charismatic classical performers. Each week on This Classical Life, she is joined by another young musician to swap tracks and share musical discoveries across a wide range of styles, revealing how music shapes their everyday lives. This Classical Life is also available as a podcast on BBC Sounds.

Jess Gillam presents her new show, with pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason, and their musical choices include a Brahms intermezzo, film music by Michael Nyman, symphonies by Beethoven and Walton, and tracks by Beyoncé and Radiohead.From musical beginnings in a carnival band, to being the first ever saxophone finalist in BBC Young Musician, and appearances at the Last Night of the Proms in 2018 and at this year’s BAFTA awards, Jess is one of today’s most engaging and charismatic classical performers. Each week on This Classical Life, she is joined by another young musician to swap tracks and share musical discoveries across a wide range of styles, revealing how music shapes their everyday lives. This Classical Life is also available as a podcast on BBC Sounds.

Jess Gillam presents her new show, with the double and electric bass player Sam Becker, who co-presented the BBC Young Musician podcast with Jess in 2018. The tracks they share with each other range from Debussy's Sarabande to David Bowie's Heroes, and from Dowland's Flow my teares to serpentwithfeet's take on Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique.From musical beginnings in a carnival band, to being the first ever saxophone finalist in BBC Young Musician, and appearances at the Last Night of the Proms in 2018 and at this year’s BAFTA awards, Jess is one of today’s most engaging and charismatic classical performers. Each week on This Classical Life, she is joined by another young musician to swap tracks and share musical discoveries across a wide range of styles, revealing how music shapes their everyday lives. This Classical Life is also available as a podcast on BBC Sounds.

Jess Gillam presents her new show, with the former BBC Introducing pianist and sound artist Belle Chen, and their 30-minute musical journey includes Korngold's Violin Concerto, music for prepared piano by John Cage and Aphex Twin, Sibelius' 7th Symphony and Herbie Hancock playing Ravel. From musical beginnings in a carnival band, to being the first ever saxophone finalist in BBC Young Musician, and appearances at the Last Night of the Proms in 2018 and at this year’s BAFTA awards, Jess is one of today’s most engaging and charismatic classical performers. Each week on This Classical Life, she is joined by another young musician to swap tracks and share musical discoveries across a wide range of styles, revealing how music shapes their everyday lives. This Classical Life is also available as a podcast on BBC Sounds.

Saxophonist Jess Gillam meets the dynamic young drummer and television composer Ollie Howell, and their eclectic choices include Dvorak’s New World Symphony, a film score by Quincy Jones, a mesmerising piano miniature by Nadia Boulanger, and some classic Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. From musical beginnings in a carnival band, to being the first ever saxophone finalist in BBC Young Musician, and appearances at the Last Night of the Proms in 2018 and at this year’s BAFTA awards, Jess is one of today’s most engaging and charismatic classical performers. Each week on This Classical Life, she is joined by another young musician to swap tracks and share musical discoveries across a wide range of styles, revealing how music shapes their everyday lives. This Classical Life is also available as a podcast on BBC Sounds.

Jess Gillam and friends share tracks for a new generation of music lovers.