JAMIE CULLUM’S TWENTYSOMETHING ALBUM
AND DISNEY HALL BOTH TURN TWENTY:
WHAT A PARTY
Singer-pianist Jamie Cullum made a rare Los Angeles appearance for a recent concert at Disney Hall. Born and raised in England in 1979, he recorded his first album in 1999 and had great success with 2002’s Pointless Nostalgic and particularly 2003’s Twentysomething. Originally a jazz musician, Cullum has since that time had his popularity steadily grow and has long been a celebrity, particularly in his homeland. He frequently performs his own originals which are often pop-oriented but jazz has remained part of his repertoire.
A charming and energetic performer who has often climaxed his shows by climbing on his piano and jumping off it in time to the music (he did that recently at the Monterey Jazz Festival but Disney Hall forbid him to try), Cullum never fails to excite audiences.
For this performance, Cullum was joined by trumpeter Rory Simmons, Nick Ellman on tenor, baritone, clarinet, organ and congas, guitarist Thomas Varrall, bassist Laurence Garratt, drummer Bradley Webb, and background singers Marc Henderson and Aisha Stuart. The first three numbers, which had prominent roles for the other vocalists, were somewhat rock-oriented and a bit funky. An early highpoint was Cullum’s medium-tempo ballad “These Were The Days,” one of his better originals. Then he switched to jazz, having his horns play Dizzy Gillespie’s “Groovin’ High” before his vocal switched the music to “I Get A Kick Out Of You.” With hints of the former but using chord changes of the latter, he had Simmons and Ellman stretch out a bit. After another original during which Cullum took a sophisticated piano solo, he performed his biggest hit, “Twentysomething.” While he confessed that he had retired that piece because to him it seemed a bit “creaky” for a 44 year old to be singing it, he had recently restored it to his repertoire. It helped that he still looks 24 (some people are lucky) and that it is such a strong piece. He displayed his impressive technique and imagination on the piano during the trio version.
Cullum next played and sang by himself on a tender medley of his original “You Can’t Hide Away from Love” and “What A Difference A Day Makes.” Keeping his set unpredictable, it was back to pop music with the full group. Cullum went out into the audience and inspired people to dance with a variety of funky tunes. The music might have been a bit lightweight but it was fun.
Back on stage, Cullum performed his rousing number “You and Me Are Done” which featured a lengthy clarinet solo from Ellman that built and built. It looked like the end of a 105-minute set but, after a lengthy ovation, Cullum came back onstage where he was featured as a solo pianist-vocalist for 20 more minutes including on “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” One wishes that he would perform in that intimate setting more often.
All in all, it was a fine show that was warmly received. Hopefully Jamie Cullum will return to Los Angeles again before too much time passes and he is performing Fiftysomething.