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)
Pure Imagination
Jamie Cullum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a world of pure imagination
Take a look and you'll see
Into your imagination
We'll begin with a spin
Trav'ling in the world of my creation
What we'll see will defy
[Chorus]
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world, there's nothing to it
There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
If you truly wish to be
[Chorus]
There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
If you truly wish to be
The lyrics to Jamie Cullum's song "Pure Imagination" are a poetic invitation to explore the vast depths of our own imaginations. The song begins with the singer inviting the listener to join him on a journey into a world of pure imagination, a place where our dreams and desires can come to life. The first two lines, "Come with me and you'll be/ In a world of pure imagination," set the stage for the magical journey that is to come.
The singer then encourages the listener to take a look into their own imagination, where anything is possible. The line "Take a look and you'll see/ Into your imagination" highlights the power that lies within our own minds. We are then taken on a journey through the singer's own imagination, where we will see things that defy explanation. The line "What we'll see will defy/ Explanation" alludes to the limitless possibilities that exist within our own minds.
Finally, the singer emphasizes that living with imagination as our guide is the freest form of existence. The lines "There is no life I know/ To compare with pure imagination/ Living there, you'll be free/ If you truly wish to be" are a powerful reminder that we are only limited by our own imagination. The song invites us to explore our own minds and discover the magic that lies within.
Line by Line Meaning
Come with me and you'll be
Join me on a journey and you will experience
In a world of pure imagination
A place where anything is possible and only your imagination sets the limits
Take a look and you'll see
Direct your attention and you will discover
Into your imagination
The boundless, creative space within your mind
We'll begin with a spin
We'll start with a fun, playful energy
Trav'ling in the world of my creation
Exploring the vivid world that I have conjured up
What we'll see will defy
The sights we will witness will surpass
Explanation
Any reasonable explanation or understanding
If you want to view paradise
If you desire to see a perfect world
Simply look around and view it
Just observe all the beauty that surrounds you
Anything you want to, do it
You can do everything and anything that you want to do
Want to change the world, there's nothing to it
If you want to make a difference, it's not difficult
There is no life I know
I am not aware of any existence
To compare with pure imagination
That matches up to the incredible world of pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
Existing in this realm will grant you ultimate liberation
If you truly wish to be
That is, if it's really what you aspire to become
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, TARADAM MUSIC, INC., Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@malaya6834
Come with me and you'll be
In a world of pure imagination
What you'll find when you look
Into your imagination
We'll begin with a spin
Travelling in the world of my creation
Live an Laugh
You will see, what you truly wish to be
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world?
There's nothing to it
There is no life I know
That compares with pure imagination
What you'll find when you look
Into your imagination
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world?
There's nothing to it
There is no life I know
That compares with pure imagination
What you'll find when you look
Into your imagination
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world?
There's nothing to it
@thepaintedpianist5178
This song could not be done any better. Absolute mastery of musical execution and artistry. Bravo, Jamie!!
@GregoryPrice
My wife and I used this track as our first dance at our wedding (3 years ago now). We danced the entire track. Thank you for that moment, couldn't have had it without you :]
@josephcassidy596
Ten years ago, “Not While I’m Around” was a finalist for our first dance, until my wife realized that it was from Sweeney Todd.
@misanthrophes
He could release a whole discography of re-interpreted songs and I would listen to every single song without being disappointed in the slightest.
@C0urg0l
Six years later and he did exactly that... Funny
@charlie9086
@@C0urg0l what is it called?
@charlie9086
@@colepeterson7585 thx, I did know about song society before but thought its just a project he does occasionally on YouTube. Is it on Spotify tho?
@kdm222
This is by far the most amazing rendition of one of the most popular songs out there...everyone has covered this song and no one is even close to what he does with it...BRAVO !!!!!!!!!! Its really a shame he does not get more recognition than he does..He is so very talented
@ilikehdehjoos
My 7 month old daughter loves dancing to this song with me. She gets a huge smile on her face everytime she hears the first few notes of the piano. Its our favorite thing to do.
@Preludetoadream1
This is one of the finest live performances ever.