03 JULY 2026 (TORONTO, ON) — Decca Classics announces SHINE, the new album from saxophonist and broadcaster Jess Gillam, released on 9 October 2026.
“I had one ambition with this project: to make an album that would make people smile,” says Jess. “I wrote down an album manifesto about a year ago and it simply said: BIG ENERGY. BEAUTY. MUSIC TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE. MUSIC TO LIFT PEOPLE UP.”
Spanning 900 years of music, SHINE brings together folk traditions, Baroque masterpieces, jazz, classical music and contemporary song in a programme that reflects Jess’s eclectic musical upbringing.
“I know music alone can’t fix the world but it can be a positive, unifying light in a world that can feel increasingly overwhelming and chaotic. That positive power is what I’m trying to celebrate on this album. I’m hoping that across these 11 tracks, you’ll find music packed with a whole lot of raw, impactful energy – whether you’ll be dancing to Bechet’s riotous riffs, comforted by the tender beauty of Ó Catháin’s “Tabhair dom do Lámh” or celebrating life with Hildegard von Bingen’s “Spiritus sanctus vivificans”.
Keeping collaboration and connection at its heart, the album pairs well known classics with new discoveries. Alongside Jess are Max Baillie and Ellie Consta (violin), Ali Vennart (viola), Hadewych van Gent (cello), Sam Becker (double bass), Sam Wilson (drums/percussion) and Leif Kaner-Lidström (piano). She’s also joined by an extended string group for the C.P.E. Bach.
Recorded over just three days at School Farm Studios in Cambridgeshire, SHINE marks Jess’s first album as co producer, working alongside Norwegian violinist and artistic director of Barokksolistene, Bjarte Eike, Sam Becker and engineer and mixer Will Purton.
“Making this album was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” says Jess. “The dedication and skill of the musicians in the room made me feel unbelievably grateful to have picked up a saxophone at the age of seven and for it to have become my life. I’ve loved co-producing this album and I’ve learnt so much along the way. I’m so thankful to all of the players and everyone behind the scenes for giving this album absolutely everything.”
The album includes music by Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, Kate Bush, Barbara Strozzi, C.P.E. Bach, Sidney Bechet, Barbara Thompson, Joni Mitchell, Corelli, David Bowie and Hildegard of Bingen. It also features Prelude to Hildegard, an improvisation on the final track, Hildegard of Bingen’s Spiritus sanctus vivificans.
Described by The Times as “everybody’s favourite saxophonist” and praised for her “breath-taking high wire virtuosity” by The Arts Desk, Jess has become one of Britain’s most distinctive musical voices. The first saxophonist to sign with Decca Classics, she is the award-winning presenter of BBC Radio 3’s This Classical Life, became the youngest ever soloist to perform at the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms and was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2021.
The music of SHINE will continue to be heard throughout 2026, with performances including Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and Lichfield Festival during the summer, followed by a series of UK dates after the album’s release, including Kings Place, Saffron Hall, St George’s Bristol, Wiltshire Music Centre and The Glasshouse.
Alongside performances of SHINE, Jess’ 2026 season includes appearances at the BBC Proms, where she performs the premiere of Gwilym Simcock’s Triple Concerto alongside Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Ben Goldscheider, as well as engagements with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and Odense Symphony Orchestra. From September 2026 she also begins her tenure as Artist in Residence with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
TRACKLIST
Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen: Shine You No More (arr. Parkin)
Kate Bush: Jig of Life (arr. Vennart)
Barbara Strozzi: Che si può fare? (arr. Vennart)
Ruaidhrí Dall Ó Catháin: Tabhair dom do lámh (arr. Becker)
C.P.E. Bach: Flute Concerto in A minor, H.431 – I. Allegro assai (arr. Parkin)
Sidney Bechet: Petite Fleur (arr. Becker)
Barbara Thompson: Tribute to Sidney Bechet
Joni Mitchell: A Case of You (arr. Newell)
Corelli: La Folia (arr. Parkin & Poxon)
David Bowie: Life on Mars? (arr. Vennart)
Jess Gillam, Sam Becker & Leif Kaner-Lidström: Prelude to Hildegard
Hildegard of Bingen: Spiritus sanctus vivificans (arr. Lawson)
About Jess Gillam:
Jess Gillam is a trailblazing saxophonist and presenter known for her electrifying performances and engaging personality. Hailed as “one of Britain’s most virtuosic instrumentalists” (The Times), she has performed throughout the world at major venues including New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Berlin Philharmonie, London’s Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House and the Seoul Arts Center. As a broadcaster, she has been writing and presenting her own award-winning weekly BBC Radio 3 show, This Classical Life, for over 7 years. The first saxophonist to be signed to Decca Classics, Jess has won a Classical BRIT Award and became the youngest soloist ever to appear at the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms. Millions watched her live television performance at the 2019 BAFTA Awards. Her debut albums, Rise (2019) and Time (2020), both reached No. 1 in the UK Classical Chart; Rise was named one of The Times’ Top 100 Albums of 2019. She received a nomination for The Times Breakthrough Award (2020) and was recognised as an ECHO Rising Star the same year. Jess was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2021. Jess has appeared with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, Gothenburg Symphony, New Zealand Symphony, the Philharmonia, the BBC Orchestras and the London Symphony Orchestra. Jess will serve as Artist in Residence with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 2026–28 and was Associate Artist at the Royal Albert Hall from 2022-2025.
