Jamie Cullum

Jamie Paul Joseph Cullum was born on August 20, 1979, in Rochford, Essex, and grew up in Hullavington, Wiltshire. His diverse background includes a Jewish father whose mother fled Nazi Germany, and a mother whose father was Indian and mother was Burmese. Cullum initially produced his first album, “Heard It All Before,” in 1999 with a budget of only £480, releasing 500 copies independently. This early success led to an appearance on Geoff Gascoyne’s album “Songs of the Summer.”

After graduating from the University of Reading with First-Class Honours in English Literature and Film Studies, Cullum released “Pointless Nostalgic” in 2002. This album garnered attention from broadcasters Michael Parkinson and Melvyn Bragg. In April 2003, following a television appearance on “Parkinson,” he secured a significant £1 million, three-album contract with Universal. His third studio album, “Twentysomething,” released in October 2003, achieved platinum status and became the UK’s best-selling jazz artist album. By the end of 2003, Cullum was recognized as the UK’s all-time best-selling jazz artist.

Cullum’s career has been marked by a unique blend of jazz and other genres, earning him the description of a “crossover” artist. He incorporates diverse musical influences, from Miles Davis to Kanye West, utilizing a stomp box and looping machine in his live performances. He has performed at major festivals globally, including Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Glastonbury. His collaborations include work with Clint Eastwood on the Golden Globe-nominated song “Gran Torino” in 2008, and contributions to projects like the BBC charity single “God Only Knows” for Children in Need in 2014.