EVERY now and then something rather special lands on the arts desk.

And Jess Gillam’s debut album is definitely in that category.

Released on Decca, Rise is yet another musical milestone in the 20-year-old saxophone player’s burgeoning career.

Jess - who made three appearances in 2018’s Last Night of the Proms - says its been a huge ambition to record an album. "I am really excited for everyone to hear Rise in its entirety upon its release on Friday. I am so grateful for the support of my friends, family and followers in Ulverston and beyond who have helped to make this project a success."

Rise opens with Iturralde’s Pequena Czarda, a jaunty, jazzy work regarded as Jess’s signature piece.

Kate Bush’s This Woman’s Work follows on with the sweeping strings from the BBC Concert Orchestra providing a lush landscape for Jess’s soprano sax to navigate. Michaud’s Brazileira is also included in the 14 track recording, giving it a samba feel that harks back to the Ulverston sax sensation’s early days in Barrow-based Barracudas carnival band.

John William’s Closing In from his Catch Me If You Can film soundtrack brings a sense of drama to Rise brilliantly interpreted by Jess. She also gives an absolutely beautiful rendition of Michael Nyman’s If, one of my favourites from her ever growing repertoire. Again, the superb BBC orchestra lifts the score as Jess’s playing soars.

Another of the standout tracks is Rant, arranged by the album’s producer and Jess’s mentor, John Harle. The piece is a terrific and cleverly put together canvas for Jess’s dazzling technique. Apparently, drawn from folk tunes, John’s arrangement allows her sax to dance along wonderfully.

There’s so much colour bursting from Rise, which is a great showcase for the technical ability and beguiling verve of Jess, who landed a Classic Brit Award in 2018. Jess also covers Where Are We Now by David Bowie, one of her musical heroes, and Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra: Waltz 2 shows Jess once again give a strong interpretation of a classic, bringing the Gillam gift for extraordinary versatility to the fore in a magical mix of melody and melancholy.

Rise also features guitarist Milos joining Jess on John Dowland’s Renaissance lute song Flow My Tears.

The album’s cover shot pretty much sums up Jess and her music perfectly: an exciting, vibrant and terrifically talented young virtuoso oozing style.

Jess will be making an appearance at her family’s Gillam’s Tea Rooms in Ulverston between 11am and 1pm on Friday (April 26) to celebrate the release of Rise. Copies of the CD will be available to buy.