Ulverston musician Jess Gillam feels 'honoured' after receiving MBE from Princess Anne

Saxophonist and broadcaster Jess Gillam has received her MBE from HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal at an investiture service at Windsor Castle.

Jess was awarded the honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2021 for Services to Music.

Commenting on the accolade, Jess said: “I feel so honoured to have been awarded an MBE for Services to Music.

"I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to learn music in the first place but that shouldn’t be down to luck - everyone should have the chance to access the arts.

"I am hugely grateful to everyone who has supported me and helped me along the way.

"I felt completely shocked when I found out about this and I still do now.

"Music can do so much for us - bring us so much happiness, it can be a friend, enrich our lives, give us space, consolation and solace or a community to be a part of.

"I’m passionate about trying to share that joy as much as possible.”

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.

She became the youngest ever presenter for BBC Radio 3 with the launch of her own weekly show, This Classical Life.

The show is in its third year now and in 2020 won the prestigious ARIA Award for Best Specialist Music Show.

In July 2021 Jess presented a special live edition of This Classical Life at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.

She has also been a guest presenter for BBC Radio 2 and co-hosted a miniseries for BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.

Jess is also the first ever saxophonist to be signed exclusively to Decca Classics and both of her albums reached No.1 in the UK Classical Music Charts

She has been the recipient of a Classic BRIT Award and has been nominated for The Times Breakthrough Award.