[Dixielandjazz] New guy on the block

[Jim Kashishian]

Anybody hear/see this young fellow, Jamie Cullum?  I recently saw a bit of
tv of him at a jazz festival.  About 24 yrs old.  Extremely cocky.  Jeans
hanging off his butt.  But, oh so very, very talented!
 
He is basically a piano player, but does that rarely sitting down, and is
extremely percussive in most of his playing.  He sometimes uses the keyboard
for beats rather than chords/melody, plays rhythms on the strings, the top,
the bottom..., but it is all so rhythmic it lifts you out of your seat!  He
can also be melodic in his playing, which shows his musical talent well.
 
He sings, moans, shouts, but is best just when he sings.  He tackles
extremely difficult standard ballads being backed only by an electric bass.
It certainly ain't Dixie, but it's good.
 
In short, just when you figure it's all been invented, a new inventor comes
along.
 
In this particular band he had a bassist (electric), a keyboard player that
doubled on trumpet, and a drummer.  All very top of the line.  Jamie also
handles a fairly good guitar.
 
Jim