29th of November 2005

Jamie Chooses Eddy James

JAMIE CULLUM CHOOSES EDDY JAMES, A 79 YEAR OLD PIANO TUNER TO WIN FIRST PRIZE IN THE PIANIST/YAMAHA PIANO COMPETITION FOR OUTSTANDING AMATEURS.

Last night, in front of a sold-out Cadogan Hall, London, Jamie Cullum awarded first prize in the Pianist/Yamaha Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. Acting as a judge for the evening he rewarded Eddy James a 79 year old piano tuner who's worked with legends Liberace, Victor Borge and Count Basie among others over the years.

Eddy wowed the capacity audience with dazzling performances of Body and Soul by John Green, The Man I Love by Gershwin and Rogers & Harts Manhattan.

Jamie Cullum commented: He took my breath away and I realised I still have a lot to learn and this from someone whos never played on a stage in front of a live audience hes amazing, just amazing.

Eddy James was stunned by his victory: After decades of tuning other peoples pianos so that they could go out to perform it was a dream come true to play on stage in front of a live audience. I never expected to win and Im in shock.

Eddy wins a 10,000 Yamaha voucher.

Sabine Vinck, 35, Director of Finance Programmes at the London Business School won the Classical award and also wins a 10,000 Yamaha voucher.

The Pianist/Yamaha Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs is the only piano competition in the UK for amateurs and will now be an annual event. [more...]

29th of November 2005

The Shirt Off His Back

Jamie is giving away the shirt he wore on his recent UK tour in aid of the Back On Track Relief Fund supporting the musicians and families in New Orleans. More info on the prize draw and party at www.dune-music.com if you don't see the popup try here [more...]

28th of November 2005

£6,000 raised for the Samaritans

Jamie and the Samaritans would like to thank you for donating nearly £6,000 at the recent UK tour dates. Jamie would also like to thank the Samaritans volunteers who came out to collect at the shows. For more information about the Samaritans please visit www.samaritans.org.uk [more...]

28th of November 2005

Collect your download pre-order today!

The single Mind Trick is out today. If you pre-ordered the download at one of the gigs that Jamie did over the last couple of months, or ordered it via the site then all you need to do is click on the link below to collect your download. Just select the ëI have an SMS download PIN codeí and then youíll have the option to type in the code you received by text when you pre-ordered the download! Collect your preorder here [more...]

22nd of November 2005

Meteor Awards

Jamie has been nominated for Best International Male in the 2006 Meteor Awards. More info at www.meteor.ie [more...]

22nd of November 2005

Mind Trick on TV

From today the video for Mind Trick will be on the Freshly Squeezed playlist on E4. [more...]

16th of November 2005

Royal Albert Hall Review

There's a great review of the first night at the Royal Albert Hall in today's Times. click here to see the review. [more...]

16th of November 2005

Copenhagen sold out

The Copenhagen gig on the 29th January has just sold out. Check other upcoming gig dates and availability on the gigs page. [more...]

14th of November 2005

Jamie will write you a song

As part of BBC Children in Need's Great Big Bid Jamie is offering to write a personal love song and will perform it live in The Great Big Bid studio on Thursday 17th November 2005. Log onto bbc.co.uk/greatbigbid and ebay.co.uk for more info. [more...]

14th of November 2005

Jamie and band break tour schedule to inspire music students

Acclaimed singer songwriter Jamie Cullum visited Sullivan Upper School, Holywood, County Down to give a seminar to music students on song writing and the music industry prior to his sold out Waterfront show on Tuesday November 8.

Jamie, currently touring the world promoting the hugely successful, recently released "Catching Tales" album is a strong supporter of music in schools and hopes to impart some of the unique knowledge he and his band have amassed during their incredible rise to global stardom and multi- million record sales to the students.

The visit was organised with music software company SIBELIUS and local music teacher Gary Myles and comes after a chance conversation with SIBELIUS when Gary was talking to a staff member and heard the, as then un- released Catching Tales record playing in the background. All post primary schools in Northern Ireland use the software to aid students learn composing skills.

Gary mentioned his admiration for the songwriting qualities of Jamie and bass player Geoff Gascoyne and the idea for a school visit was born once it emerged that the band where soon to visit Belfast and were also keen fans of SIBELIUS music software.

Jamie and Geoff talked to about 40 GCSE and A- level students during their visit to Sullivan Upper School, playing some music, hosting a question and answer session and talking about what makes a hit song.

"The visit of Jamie Cullum and Geoff Gascoyne to Sullivan Upper School was a memorable and unique experience for everyone involved. Jamie and Geoff entertained and educated their audience for over an hour; playing, chatting, answering questions and providing an impromptu harmony lesson for four pupils. We heard that Jamie and Geoff use SIBELIUS music software in helping them compose and arrange, something in which the pupils are all currently engaged. To hear that musicians of Jamie and Geoff's calibre are using the same software validates the pupils' work far beyond what a visiting tutor can hope to achieve. In the midst of a busy tour schedule it was incredibly generous for Jamie and Geoff to give up so much of their time, to which all involved are immeasurably grateful."

Gary Myles (Music Technology Support for SEELB)"

"Jamie's visit to Sullivan Upper School was a unique opportunity for both pupils and staff to experience and appreciate, in an informal setting, the live performance of such a young talented musician. Jamie's energy,enthusiasm and love of music was obvious. In the question and answer session he revealed his lack of a formal musical training and the dedicated hours of practice and listening which had led to his own unique individual style. In school we have been developing the use of ICT to assist teaching and learning of music and in particular the use of Sibelius with the GCSE and A Level classes. The pupils were eager to hear how Jamie and his bass player, Geoff, used this software to assist them in their composing and arranging of new songs. A highlight for four of the pupils was the chance to sing with Jamie, providing vocal harmonies in the chorus of one of his songs. This highly exciting and inspirational workshop has left the Music Department on a high all week and even the piano has recovered from being disassembled and stamped on !

Linda Montgomery( Director of Music)" [more...]