Our Iulia Matei had a blast checking out Nottingham Trent University's latest concert...
Infectiously charming, playful and joyous, Jess Gillam and her ensemble of master musicians brought an utterly delightful show at Nottingham’s University Hall. Their set was so beautifully curated, with tracks ranging from playful to serene, to powerful and energetic. Mixing well-loved classics with more avant-garde pieces, their show was a beautifully eclectic masterpiece, executed to perfection from start to finish.
It was so lovely to watch Gillam perform on stage, and listen to her speak so passionately and enthusiastically about her favourite musicians and influences. This is someone who lives and breathes their craft. Don’t be fooled by her chirpy, carefree persona, as it hides an intensity that only really becomes apparent when she’s performing.
Winner of Young Musician of the Year, an MBE, a number one debut album, the youngest ever presenter on BBC Radio 3 - she is everything you want in a soloist: bold, sensitive, aggressive, joyous and technically impeccable. No wonder her career has skyrocketed the way it has, she is a musical force and talent to be reckoned with.
The ensemble played a mix of classic and experimental pieces that kept everyone on their toes throughout the entire evening. Orbit was one of those musically striking - and some might say risqué - pieces that made it feel like you weren’t at a classical concert but rather in a whole other world. The repeating motifs and playful notes worked as hypnotic, alluring charms, and it felt as though stars, planets and the vastness of the universe were given a voice through this piece. Gillam plays some of her best sax work here, giving a soulful, emotive touch to her lower notes, which contrasted and added texture and warmth to the piece.
There’s no denying that people resonate with Jess Gillam’s music and energy. Heartfelt, joyous and immensely powerful, Jess is quickly becoming a staple in the world of classical music
The experimental tracks were then balanced out by classical ones such as Bach’s Allegro Assai and Claude Debaussy’s Claire de Lune which the ensemble performed so elegantly and with a lightness that saw the audience holding their breath from the first note up to the very last.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence was another striking piece, a gorgeous theme that seems to make light of possibility, leaving space for reflection. Gillam and her ensemble somehow made it sound both simple yet complex, traditional yet modern, fragile yet powerful - and that was the case with most of their music throughout the evening. They have such a knack for mixing styles, emotion and mood in their execution and song choices, which made the entire concert so entertaining and special, with surprises waiting at every turn.
There’s no denying that people resonate with Jess Gillam’s music and energy. Heartfelt, joyous and immensely powerful, she is quickly becoming a staple in the world of classical music with her outstanding talent and infectious personality. One would be a fool not to keep their eye on what her and her ensemble are going to bring next!
The Jess Gillam Ensemble played at University Hall on Wednesday 10 May
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