Please note: This concert is in the past and has already taken place.

Jess Gillam Ensemble at Christmas

Part of the York Concerts 2025/2026

Add to my Calendar 10-12-2025 19:30 10-12-2025 21:30 36 Jess Gillam Ensemble at Christmas Experience the saxophone as you have never heard it before! In this festive programme, Jess Gillam celebrates the dynamism, diversity and emotional power of one of the world’s most versatile instruments, throwing in a few Christmassy and wintery delights along the way. While rooted in classical music, the programme offers an expansive and explosive exploration of a vast array of music – from the groove of Michael Nyman and Corelli to barnstorming tunes by the Danish String Quartet and Barbara Thompson, as well as the soaring beauty of festive favourites like Coventry Carol, Silent Night, Ella Fitzgerald’s The Secret of Christmas and some wassailing for good measure. A saxophonist playing Bach to Bowie and Nyman to Ellington backed up by a string quartet, piano, bass and percussion might sound pretty strange on paper, but with her seven-piece band, treasured pair of saxophones and passion for connecting with audiences, Jess Gillam meticulously crafts a programme that pulls on the common threads found in music from across the centuries to deliver a high-octane, enchanting evening that will leave you ready for the festive season, beaming from ear to ear! ‘A true inspiration … she frankly rocks’ (Huffington Post) Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, York DD/MM/YYYY

Details

Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall
University of York
York
YO10 5DD
England

Programme

Claude Debussy – Clair de Lune, arr. Simon Parkin/JGE
Duke Ellington – Caravan
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach – Flute Concerto in A minor, H.431: Allegro Assai
David Bowie – Life on Mars

Performers

Jess Gillam – Saxophone

Other concerts in this Cycle

Roderick Williams & Carducci Quartet

Bach’s Goldberg Variations

The 24 & The Lyons Mouth

University Symphony Orchestra

Octandre Ensemble

University Choir & The 24

Angela Hewitt Plays Bach

I Fagiolini at 40

University Chamber Orchestra

Fenella Humphreys & Joseph Tong

University Symphony Orchestra

Helen Charlston & Sholto Kynoch

Handel: Majesty and Fireworks

The Chimera Ensemble

University Choir & Symphony Orchestra

Programme Note

Experience the saxophone as you have never heard it before! In this festive programme, Jess Gillam celebrates the dynamism, diversity and emotional power of one of the world’s most versatile instruments, throwing in a few Christmassy and wintery delights along the way. While rooted in classical music, the programme offers an expansive and explosive exploration of a vast array of music – from the groove of Michael Nyman and Corelli to barnstorming tunes by the Danish String Quartet and Barbara Thompson, as well as the soaring beauty of festive favourites like Coventry CarolSilent Night, Ella Fitzgerald’s The Secret of Christmas and some wassailing for good measure.

A saxophonist playing Bach to Bowie and Nyman to Ellington backed up by a string quartet, piano, bass and percussion might sound pretty strange on paper, but with her seven-piece band, treasured pair of saxophones and passion for connecting with audiences, Jess Gillam meticulously crafts a programme that pulls on the common threads found in music from across the centuries to deliver a high-octane, enchanting evening that will leave you ready for the festive season, beaming from ear to ear!

‘A true inspiration … she frankly rocks’ (Huffington Post)

Jess Gillam Ensemble at Christmas

Get a route map

Your Map