Jamie Cullum

Piano whiz Jamie Cullum has made a name for himself as both the interpreter of other people’s songs and a canny songwriter with a knack for being able to pay homage to a variety of styles. On top of that, the 26-year-old is a celebrated entertainer who brings a rock ‘n’ roll, even punk, attitude to the piano. His Grammy-nominated 2003 debut Twentysomething (Verve) sold over 2 million copies worldwide, including 200,000 in the US, thanks in part to headlining club and support tours in North America that highlighted Jamie’s showmanship. Catching Tales, his new album, shows even more stylistic diversity and appeal. DJ/hip-hop producer Dan the Automator contributes a fat backbeat to the strutting “Get Your Way”, a cover of Doves’ “Catch the Sun” gives props to one of the preeminent British guitar-rock acts of the last decade, and some choice standards like “I Only Have Eyes For You” help give the record a timeless quality. The boyish talent’s sense of humour also comes into play on originals like “7 Days to Change Your Life” and “Nothing I Do”.