Jamie Jazzes it Up at the 930 Club
March 25
They came, young and old, filling the 930 Club to capacity on Saturday night to hear the incredibly talented British jazzman Jamie Cullum. The success of this 26-year-old is especially welcome in helping revive an art form that seems largely lost among our youth: jazz.
Cullum’s covers evoke a sound from a time long ago and he infuses new life into such beautiful standards as Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of You” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Wind Cries Mary.” But, at the same time, such original songs as “Twentysomething” and “21st Century Kid” remind us that—though seemingly wise beyond his years—he’s just a young bloke searching for meaning in this life. The song “Photograph” from his second disc with its simple, sweet piano melody is a narrative about a couple of old photos he found, with a chorus that crescendos into these insightful words: “When I look back on my ordinary life; I see so much magic though I missed it at the time.”
He puts on a dynamic live show, at times soulful, at times playful. Live, his songs are fresh and refreshing. Cullum and his band improvise quite a bit (after all, it IS jazz) and that makes his studio recordings unique each time he performs them. His bluesy “Back to the Ground” was well received, as was the groovy bonus track “Frontin’” from his first album. One track, “All At Sea,” from his first album that he performed in his encore, is an original tune though it sounds like a standard, and could very well become one. Cullum also offers a unique take on newer cover tunes such as Radiohead’s “High and Dry” and popular Brit rockers the Doves’ “Catch the Sun.”
Opening for Cullum was an extraordinary lady from Seattle, Brandi Carlile, backed by a tight band. She crossed numerous genres from folk-rock to alt pop, with a hint of blues, and a voice at times reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge. Her vocal range was remarkable, as she went from powerful and sultry to sweet, soft notes an octave above. Carlile closed solo, strumming her guitar, with a moving cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Later, she joined Cullum on stage for a stunning version of Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”
Cullum closed the show with a Thelonious Monk groove that segued into an impressive solo by his drummer, Sebastian de Krom, which segued into his contemporary take on the classic “I Could Have Danced All Night.” Cullum’s style and boyish charm attracts the masses—not to mention young, adoring ladies—but it’s his love of music that radiates, and his raw talent will keep his fan base around, and growing, for many years to come.
Recommended Beverage to go with this Show:
a cold, hard cider, mate
They came, young and old, filling the 930 Club to capacity on Saturday night to hear the incredibly talented British jazzman Jamie Cullum. The success of this 26-year-old is especially welcome in helping revive an art form that seems largely lost among our youth: jazz.
Cullum’s covers evoke a sound from a time long ago and he infuses new life into such beautiful standards as Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of You” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Wind Cries Mary.” But, at the same time, such original songs as “Twentysomething” and “21st Century Kid” remind us that—though seemingly wise beyond his years—he’s just a young bloke searching for meaning in this life. The song “Photograph” from his second disc with its simple, sweet piano melody is a narrative about a couple of old photos he found, with a chorus that crescendos into these insightful words: “When I look back on my ordinary life; I see so much magic though I missed it at the time.”
He puts on a dynamic live show, at times soulful, at times playful. Live, his songs are fresh and refreshing. Cullum and his band improvise quite a bit (after all, it IS jazz) and that makes his studio recordings unique each time he performs them. His bluesy “Back to the Ground” was well received, as was the groovy bonus track “Frontin’” from his first album. One track, “All At Sea,” from his first album that he performed in his encore, is an original tune though it sounds like a standard, and could very well become one. Cullum also offers a unique take on newer cover tunes such as Radiohead’s “High and Dry” and popular Brit rockers the Doves’ “Catch the Sun.”
Opening for Cullum was an extraordinary lady from Seattle, Brandi Carlile, backed by a tight band. She crossed numerous genres from folk-rock to alt pop, with a hint of blues, and a voice at times reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge. Her vocal range was remarkable, as she went from powerful and sultry to sweet, soft notes an octave above. Carlile closed solo, strumming her guitar, with a moving cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Later, she joined Cullum on stage for a stunning version of Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”
Cullum closed the show with a Thelonious Monk groove that segued into an impressive solo by his drummer, Sebastian de Krom, which segued into his contemporary take on the classic “I Could Have Danced All Night.” Cullum’s style and boyish charm attracts the masses—not to mention young, adoring ladies—but it’s his love of music that radiates, and his raw talent will keep his fan base around, and growing, for many years to come.
posted by Dana @ 5:14 PM
1 Comments:
At 7:40 AM,
Anonymous said…
Yes, it is true: Jamie is the ultimate best!! I saw him in Sydney and he was great. You are definitely right about the appeal of his love for music- it really makes the audience love it too.
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