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 TrioโHeard it All, in 1999, of which 500 copies were made. Due to their rarity, original copies have sold for as much as ยฃ600 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 ยฃ1m 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)
This Winter
Jamie Cullum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The only man I need is right here
I don't wanna drag any tree
You see, I only want to decorate you dear
I only want attention
That Iโฒm gonna pursue
'Cause this winter
You won't find me stuck on my highway
โฒCause am swerving off the road to your home
Not forgetting Bay Brad store
So never again will you be alone
Nothing on my schedule
Is under review
โฒCause this winter
My only plan is to love you
No need for seat belts or trumpets so don't
Weโฒll find a river to Skiddle on
So come on, all ye faithless
Love all of the town
I'm home and I want devotion
I dreamt about this, oh hero
Iโฒve got to simplify my aim
So I'm happy when my arms were at war
Around the lover
Scan, get in the queue
โฒCause this winter, my only plan is to kiss you
My only plan is to hold you
My only plan is to love you
The lyrics to Jamie Cullum's song "This Winter" are romantic and joyful. The singer expresses their desire to love and be loved during the winter months. The first stanza suggests that the singer does not want to engage in traditional winter activities such as building a snowman or decorating a tree. Instead, the only thing the singer wants to do is decorate their lover. They are seeking attention and plan to pursue their lover to express their love throughout winter.
The second stanza suggests that the only thing on the singer's schedule is the pursuit of love. They are willing to leave everything behind and swerve off the road to be with their lover. The singer also references "Bay Brad store," which could mean a specific location that holds significance for the singer and their lover. The singer wants to ensure that their lover never feels alone and is willing to put in the effort to achieve this.
The third stanza references not needing seat belts or trumpets and the idea of finding a river to "skiddle" on. This suggests a carefree and fun-loving attitude, possibly indicating that the singer and their lover plan to take life less seriously and enjoy each other's company throughout the winter months. The singer invites everyone to join in on the love and joy they are experiencing.
Overall, this song is about the prioritization of love and companionship during the winter season. Rather than being bogged down with traditional winter activities or other obligations, the singer seeks to simplify their life by focusing solely on loving their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna build a snowman
I don't want to be distracted by trivial things
The only man I need is right here
I only need you and no one else
I don't wanna drag any tree
I don't want to waste my time on unnecessary things
You see, I only want to decorate you dear
I only want to adorn you with my love and attention
I only want attention
I only want your affection and focus
That I'm gonna pursue
I will strive hard to achieve it
'Cause this winter
During this winter season
My only plan is to love you
My sole purpose is to love you unconditionally
You won't find me stuck on my highway
I won't be caught up in my personal desires
'Cause am swerving off the road to your home
Because I want to come to your place instead
Not forgetting Bay Brad store
I won't forget to get what you need from the store
So never again will you be alone
I want to be with you always and keep you company
Nothing on my schedule
I am free of any plans or obligations
Is under review
I don't need to check or inspecy my schedule
'Cause this winter
During this winter season
My only plan is to love you
All I want is to express my love for you
No need for seat belts or trumpets so don't
There's no need for anything flashy
We'll find a river to Skiddle on
We will find a path to happiness together
So come on, all ye faithless
I am calling all those who have lost faith in love
Love all of the town
Let's spread love everywhere we go
I'm home and I want devotion
I am home and I long for your unwavering love
I dreamt about this, oh hero
I have been thinking about this moment for a long time
I've got to simplify my aim
My only goal is to love you
So I'm happy when my arms were at war
I am happy when we embrace each other
Around the lover
When I'm around you
Scan, get in the queue
I am ready to commit to you and wait for our future together
'Cause this winter, my only plan is to kiss you
This winter season, I only want to express my love by kissing you
My only plan is to hold you
I want to wrap my arms around you and never let go
My only plan is to love you
I have no other plans but to love you wholeheartedly
Writer(s): Jamie Cullum
Contributed by Ella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Adriel Adiaksa
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
To sing a love song
While we stroll along
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow, we can build a snowman
We'll pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, are you married?
We'll say, no man
But you can do the job when you're in town
Later on, we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow, we can build a snowman
We'll pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, are you ready?
We'll say, no man
But you can do the job when you're in town
Later on, we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland
Alexandra Oravetz
Growing up my family always used to get bruch on xmas day, and there'd always be a band playing jazzy versions of xmas songs. This takes me right back ๐ฅฐ
KATHRYN Minor
me to!!!!!!
Vero Vi
You are not just a great musician, ยกYou're a genius! I could rest on peace when I can travel to any country(cause I know you probably won't be in Mรฉxico again), just to see you playing your magic. Thank you so much for giving me such a great moments through your incredible music!
Sofia Ali
This is a classic hit,love his soothing voice,mellow rythms.
Kitty Gee
Your Christmas covers are my favorite. They always get me in such a happy mood <3
Roberta MacCallum
Thankyou Jamie Best Christmas Album for years โค
Otรกvio Maciel
Obrigada Jamie Cullum! Amo essa canรงรฃo Natalina! ๐๐๐โค๏ธโค๏ธ๐ง๐ท
manavilalfonso oficinaqro
se vienen 13 canciones mas de navidad de jamie .
2reewa
This is the best version I've heard. Thank you Jamie!
Deedee 60
Jamie Cullum and Kansas Smitty band sounded AMAZING last night on Radio 2!!