Award-winning musician Jamie Cullum has championed the Scottish jazz scene saying it has one of the ‘best vibes’ in the UK and is producing some ‘top notch’ artists.
The 45-year-old singer, who shot to fame after performing on Parkinson in 2003, said Scotland is full of up and coming jazz stars who have the potential to be massive.
Jamie, who is married to author and former model Sophie Dahl, 47, said: “The Scottish jazz scene is alive and well. There are so many amazing musicians coming out of Scotland.
“One of my favourites who I have been championing on my BBC Radio Two show are Fergus McCreadie the jazz pianist and composer who was born in Jamestown, Easter Ross and is based in Glasgow. His third album Forest Floor was nominated for the 2022 Mercury Music prize.
“Another of my favourites is Liam Shortall who is behind the music project corto.alto. Their debut album was also shortlisted for a Mercury Music prize earlier this year.”
Jamie, who has sold more than 10 million albums world wide, is performing at the Glasgow Armadillo tonight (Sun) and Perth Concert Hall tomorrow night as part of his UK headline tour.
The dad-of-two, whose album Twentysomething released in 2003 remains the UK’s fastest selling jazz album in chart history, can’t wait to take to the stage in Scotland once again.
Jamie, who grew up in Essex and brought up in Wiltshire said: “Scottish audiences love a good time. I have Scots in my extended family and two of my best friends are from Scotland – they can turn any sort of party into some wild rave up within five minutes and they certainly love a mass singalong.
“I am really used to the Scottish way of enjoying myself. It is always a pleasure to gome and play up there as there is always a vibe. I love the most northerly parts of the country and the landscapes. Scotland on a clear day is hard to beat.”
Jamie, who is dad to Lyra, 13, and Margot, 11, added: “I have performed in Scotland multiple times with artists like KT Tunstall and Amy Macdonald and it’s always been amazing. Roll on Perth and Glasgow.”
The artist, who has worked alongside artists as diverse as Herbie Hancock , Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar and Lang Lang, admitted he has been blessed to turn his hobby into a job.
He said: “I have given many memorable performabces but being on stage at Glastonbury with a big band was really cool as was playing a jazz festival in LA in front of Hugh Heffner and Clint Eastwood.
“Doing my first tour of tiny venues with Amy Winehouse back in 2001 and trying to get a grand piano down the steps of a rock club was also fun.
“Another stand-out was performing next to the dear departed Quincy Jones at the Monterey Jazz festival as he sat at the side of the stage. Music has taken me all over the world.”
Jamie, who performed at the late Queen’s 92nd birthday concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018, added: “I’m enjoying life and trying not to be too busy so I can spend time with the people I love. My next album is due out next year and I have a European Tour lined up.”
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