Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND
JS Bach Prelude from Partita no. 3 in E major
CPE Bach Allegro Assai from Concerto in A minor
Bartók Dances from Transylvannia
MacMillan Saxophone Concerto
Kate Bush Jig of Life
Sidney Bechet Petite Fleur
Reich Electric Counterpoint (movt. III, Fast)
Gershwin Lullaby
Joni Mitchell Both Sides Now
Donald Grant Bha la eile ann
Trad. Swallowtail Jig
Harle RANT!
after Benny Goodman Sing, Sing, Sing
With arrangements by Harry Baker
Fantasia Orchestra makes its debut at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, with long-time collaborator and friend of the orchestra Jess Gillam (saxophone).
With her electrifying performances and vibrant stage presence, Jess has lit up the world’s biggest stages since becoming the youngest ever soloist to perform at the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Equally at home behind the microphone, Jess’s award-winning weekly show, This Classical Life, on BBC Radio 3 is now in its seventh season.
A passionate advocate for her instrument, Jess is the only saxophonist to have signed to Decca Classics. Both her albums have reached No. 1 in the UK Classical Music Charts and her debut album, Rise, was listed in The Times’ Top 100 albums of 2019. She’s been the recipient of a Classic BRIT Award, a The Times Breakthrough Award nominee and was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2021.
Rooted in classical music but taking inspiration from different musical worlds, this programme mixes JS Bach with Kate Bush and Steve Reich with Joni Mitchell in a dazzling display of Jess’s virtuosity and Fantasia’s joyful spirit.
Hailing from Ulverston in Cumbria, Jess is blazing a trail in the music world with her outstanding talent and infectious personality.
Hailing from Ulverston in Cumbria, Jess has been forging her own adventurous path since she 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.
As well as performing around the world, Jess is a presenter on TV and Radio and was the youngest ever presenter for BBC Radio 3.
Tom is Fantasia's Conductor & Artistic Director.
Tom’s start in music was fortuitous, as he was lucky to be introduced to an inspiring violin teacher by his grandmother at the age of four.
At eight he became a chorister of Westminster Abbey, an experience he describes as ‘transformative’, benefitting from musical training that featured high profile occasions like singing the solo at the Royal Wedding in 2011. Tom then attended Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, a state comprehensive that champions music and the arts.
He continued with the violin, sang, played the organ, and started to explore conducting, enjoying the process of rehearsals and the ability both to make music with and to bring together large groups of people. It was in his final year at school that he saw the potential for a career in it, founding Fantasia Orchestra in 2016.
Tom now enjoys a busy career with major orchestras, including with the BBC Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. In his rare moments of downtime he enjoys running, listening to jazz, and cooking, likening the process to conducting — it being about balance, flavour, pacing and bringing people together.
Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND