http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5290837&rws=%2Fjamie-cullum%2Fmusic-videos.rssAlready the biggest selling British jazz artist of all time, Jamie Cullum quickly crossed over into the pop world with a sound that marries superior piano chops with an upbeat variation on confessional 1970s singer-songwriter material. Unlike the stereotype of introspective singer-songwriters, Jamie Cullum's extroverted personality marries high energy, old-fashioned showmanship with breezy English wit. A professional since his formative years, he learned to captivate diffident pub and pizza joint audiences with a frenetic: "Look over here! I'll do anything to entertain you!" performing style. This works because the pianist actually has the talent to pull just about anything off and a self-deprecating wit that stops him from looking like a show-off. While he is a kinetic swing-to-bop pianist, he's developed a vocal style that recalls Billy Joel more than Frank Sinatra, which helps distinguish him from the post-Harry Connick Jr. pack of retro-pianists and crooners. Seeing his pop potential, Universal signed Cullum to a deal that promised to promote him outside of the jazz ghetto. The gamble quickly paid off as his major label debut <I>Twentysomething</I> -- a mix of original tunes and standards -- instantly conquered the British jazz charts and continued sailing up to the top of the pop charts in 2003. <I>Twentysomething</I> is an easy album to like, and its multigenerational appeal coupled with the musician's heavy touring schedule has helped it sell around the world. The follow-up <I>Catching Tales</I> saw Cullum boldly recruit the likes of Dan The Automator and move from covering the Doves to delivering a fresh take on Harry Warren's "I Only Have Eyes For You," while still managing to keep the Essex-born, Wiltshire-raised Brit's voice and piano at the heart of affairs. - Nick DedinaPop-Jazzen720Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:27:49 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5290837&rws=%2Fjamie-cullum%2Fmusic-videos.rss Already the biggest selling British jazz artist of all time, Jamie Cullum quickly crossed over into the pop world with a sound that marries superior piano chops with an upbeat variation on confessional 1970s singer-songwriter material. Unlike the stereotype of introspective singer-songwriters, Jamie Cullum's extroverted personality marries high energy, old-fashioned showmanship with breezy English wit. A professional since his formative years, he learned to captivate diffident pub and pizza joint audiences with a frenetic: "Look over here! I'll do anything to entertain you!" performing style. This works because the pianist actually has the talent to pull just about anything off and a self-deprecating wit that stops him from looking like a show-off. While he is a kinetic swing-to-bop pianist, he's developed a vocal style that recalls Billy Joel more than Frank Sinatra, which helps distinguish him from the post-Harry Connick Jr. pack of retro-pianists and crooners. Seeing his pop potential, Universal signed Cullum to a deal that promised to promote him outside of the jazz ghetto. The gamble quickly paid off as his major label debut <I>Twentysomething</I> -- a mix of original tunes and standards -- instantly conquered the British jazz charts and continued sailing up to the top of the pop charts in 2003. <I>Twentysomething</I> is an easy album to like, and its multigenerational appeal coupled with the musician's heavy touring schedule has helped it sell around the world. The follow-up <I>Catching Tales</I> saw Cullum boldly recruit the likes of Dan The Automator and move from covering the Doves to delivering a fresh take on Harry Warren's "I Only Have Eyes For You," while still managing to keep the Essex-born, Wiltshire-raised Brit's voice and piano at the heart of affairs. - Nick Dedina