Cullum was born in Romford, East London. He was brought up in Hullavington, Wiltshire, and educated at the independent fee-paying Grittleton House School and the sixth form at Sheldon School. He then went on to study English Literature, and minored in Film Studies, at Reading University where he graduated with First Class Honours.
His mother, Yvonne, is a secretary of Anglo-Burmese origin, whose family settled in Wales after Burma's independence; his father, John Cullum, worked in finance. His paternal grandfather was a British Army officer, while his paternal grandmother was a Jewish refugee from Prussia who sang in Berlin nightclubs.
Cullum married British model Sophie Dahl at a country hotel in the New Forest National Park in England on 9 January 2010.
Cullum released his first album, Jamie Cullum Trio—Heard it All, in 1999, of which 500 copies were made. Due to their rarity, original copies have sold for as much as £600 on eBay. The success of Heard It All Before resulted in Cullum being invited to appear on Geoff Gascoyne's album Songs of the Summer.
After graduating from Reading University, Cullum released a best-selling album, Pointless Nostalgic, which stirred interest from Michael Parkinson[2] and Melvyn Bragg.
Just after Cullum made his first television appearance, on Parkinson in April 2003, he signed a £1m contract[3] for three albums with Universal, who beat Sony in a bidding war. Cullum's third album, Twentysomething, released in October 2003, went platinum and became the #1 selling studio album by a jazz artist in the United Kingdom. Cullum ended 2003 as the UK's biggest selling jazz artist of all time.[3]
Although primarily a jazz musician, he performs in a wide range of styles and is generally regarded as a "crossover" artist with his musical roots firmly based in jazz. Cullum draws his inspiration from many different musicians and listens to an eclectic mix of music from Miles Davis[4] to Tom Waits and many more. Cullum has belonged to several bands, ranging from banging drums in a hip hop group to playing guitar in rock bands such as Raw Sausage and The Mystery Machine, in his teenage youth. Cullum names his elder brother, Ben Cullum, as his biggest musical influence, and the two continue to collaborate extensively.
Cullum is well known not only for his abilities on the piano, but also for his unique entertainment style and charisma. One of the many things that features in Jamie's concerts is the "stompbox" (not to be confused with an effect pedal for guitars), made from a small wooden block. The stompbox is used to amplify a musician's tapping foot. Jamie found this in Australia and uses it to enhance upbeat and fast-paced songs such as Seven Nation Army originally by the White Stripes and "Gold Digger", originally by Kanye West. He is also often found using a looping machine. This plays a heavy part in Cullum's versions of Seven Nation Army and Teardrop by Massive Attack. Cullum is also often found beatboxing at most gigs.
As well as the White Stripes and Kanye West, Cullum has performed work by Massive Attack, Rihanna, Pussycat Dolls, Radiohead, Gnarls Barkley, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Joy Division, Lady Gaga and many others. He has also performed with Kylie Minogue, Sugababes, Will.i.am and Burt Bacharach.
Cullum rarely works to a set list and on average his gigs last just over two hours. The gigs are largely improvised, rooted in jazz but not solely consisting of jazz music.
Cullum has played at many large music festivals, including Glastonbury Festival (in 2004 & 2009), Coachella 2005, 2006 South by Southwest, North Sea Jazz Festival, the Hollywood Bowl (performing with the Count Basie Orchestra) and the 2006 Playboy Jazz Festival. On the April 29th 2006 Cullum played his biggest ever crowd on Queensday in The Netherlands.
Discography:
1999 - Heard It All Before
2001 - Pointless Nostalgic
2003 - Twentysomething
2005 - Catching Tales
2009 - The Pursuit
2010 - Devil May Care
2013 - Momentum
2014 - Interlude
2018 - The song society playlist
2019 - Taller
2020 - The pianoman at christmas
2021 - The pianoman at christmas (The complete edition)
High & Dry
Jamie Cullum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flying on your motorcycle, watching all the ground beneath you drop
You'd kill yourself for recognition; kill yourself to never ever stop
You broke another mirror; you're turning into something you are not
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
All your insides fall to pieces, you just sit there wishing you could still make love
They're the ones who'll hate you when you think you've got the world all sussed out
They're the ones who'll spit at you, you will be the one screaming out
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
It's the best thing that you have ever had
It's the best thing that you have ever had
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
In Jamie Cullum's song "High & Dry," the lyrics describe a person who is so desperate for attention and recognition that they are willing to destroy themselves in the process. The opening lines criticize this individual's perceived cleverness for this extreme behavior, using the image of a motorcycle ride as a metaphor for their perilous journey. Despite the risks, the person remains convinced that they need to continue on their path, even if it means losing their sense of self.
As the song progresses, the imagery becomes more intense. The line "all your insides fall to pieces" paints a picture of someone who is mentally and emotionally unraveling, but unable to express their feelings to those around them. They become isolated and trapped within their own desperation, lashing out at those who they feel are to blame for their predicament.
Throughout the song, the chorus serves as a plea for the person not to abandon others in their pursuit of recognition. "Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry" is a call for empathy and understanding, showing that while the individual may be suffering, they are not alone. Ultimately, the song paints a picture of the dangers of pursuing success at any cost, and the importance of maintaining connection and communication with those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Two jumps in a week, I bet you think that's pretty clever don't you, boy?
You're taking risks and trying to prove something to others, but it may not be worth it in the end.
Flying on your motorcycle, watching all the ground beneath you drop
You're trying to escape reality and your problems by living dangerously.
You'd kill yourself for recognition; kill yourself to never ever stop
You're so desperate for success and attention that you're willing to risk everything, including your life.
You broke another mirror; you're turning into something you are not
Your obsession with image and identity is causing you to lose touch with who you really are.
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Don't abandon me when I need you most.
Drying up in conversation, you will be the one who cannot talk
Your insecurity and anxiety are causing you to shut down and withdraw from social interaction.
All your insides fall to pieces, you just sit there wishing you could still make love
Your emotional turmoil is affecting every aspect of your life, including your relationships.
They're the ones who'll hate you when you think you've got the world all sussed out
People will resent you for being overly confident and thinking you have everything figured out.
They're the ones who'll spit at you, you will be the one screaming out
When others turn against you, you will be left alone and desperate for help.
It's the best thing that you have ever had
Despite your struggles, there are things in your life that are truly valuable and worth holding onto.
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Once again, don't abandon me when I need you most.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Colin Charles Greenwood, Edward John O'Brien, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Philip James Selway, Thomas Edward Yorke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paullevavasseur8608
I was at this concert, it was pure magic... and the choir kept singing after he left the scene, and then came back one last time ! he is incredible <3
@chronix4776
For everybody who havent seen him live just yet... you have to do it, he is so increadibly good on stage.
@1966wilky
His voice is slightly out of sinc. I’m not saying he’s miming just that the sound is a tiny bit out.
It doesn’t make any difference to me, as long as I can hear him!
@klaraliontheroad
the guy screaming 'I love you Jamie' at the end is very me.
@summerbummer167
No phones, no cameras. Everybody literally just enjoyed the show
@Rob_Gibson
This is special. Wow, man. That crowd participation at the 6 minute mark, that's worth the price of a ticket and then some...
@yustinedudney
i hope someday gonna see him live!!!
@barbarareid7514
Me too...Come to NYS! I love you Jamie!
@Pinzledick
I am not saying his studio recording is bad, but his live is always better. Great!
@sljf555
I saw him last night at the London Palladium, he and his band are still on top form.