Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center To Host Jamie Cullum

Jamie Cullum scheduled to appear on June 21. Photo courtesy of WHBPAC

Westhampton Beach - Straight from his gig at Carnegie Hall, British Jazz sensation Jamie Cullum will return to the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Sunday, June 21 at 8 p.m.

Rocker, crooner, songwriter, pianist, innovator and performer, Grammy and Golden Globe Award nominated Cullum is pure talent. His explosive on-stage persona has won him legions of loyal fans worldwide. You just can't pigeonhole Cullum. Obsessed with all types of music, he continues to redefine where the parameters of pop, jazz - indeed, all musical genres - are drawn. This exciting, young musical phenom is not to be missed.

Notable Facts
• Jamie Cullum was born on Aug. 20, 1979. He's played guitar and piano since age eight and developed an avid interest in jazz passed down from his older brother Ben. Cullum's paternal grandmother was also a musician from Prussia who sang in Berlin nightclubs.

• Cullum spent part of his formative years living in Paris where he honed his abilities performing in jazz clubs. After returning to England and studying English at Reading University, he began working as a singer-pianist anywhere he could get a gig: on cruise ships, in pubs, even wedding receptions.

• Cullum released his first album, "Jamie Cullum Trio - Heard it All Before," in 1999, of which 500 copies were made. Due to its rarity, original copies have sold for as much as $1,000 on eBay.

• Cullum's third album, "Twentysomething," received platinum status and became the #1 selling studio album by a jazz artist in the United Kingdom. He then received The British Jazz Award's "Rising Star" Award, at the 2003 ceremony. Cullum ended 2003 with the honor of being named the UK's biggest selling jazz artist of all time. In the following years, Cullum was nominated for a Brit Award in the "British Breakthrough Act" category (2004) and the "Best Male Artist" and "Best Live Act" category (2005).

• Cullum's breakout hit in the United States was "All At Sea" closely followed by a reworking of Radiohead's "High and Dry." He was nominated for a prestigious Grammy award in 2005, and went on to win yet another award at the BBC Jazz Awards, this time scooping Radio 2 "Artist Of The Year," as voted for by listeners of Radio 2.

• Together with his elder brother, Ben, Cullum wrote the music for the West End stage version of "When Harry Met Sally," starring Luke Perry and Alyson Hannigan. The Cullum brothers reworked music from the movie as well as scored original songs.

• Cullum and film icon Clint Eastwood wrote and performed the theme song "Tribute" from last year's blockbuster hit "Gran Torino." The song was nominated for the 2008 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

• Cullum is currently putting the finishing touches on his much anticipated new album, which will be released later this year.

This performance had been generously sponsored in part by Karen & Roger Stevens and Arlene & Steve Mark. Sponsored by WEHM, 96.9 & 92.9FM and WLIU 88.3FM. For more information on Jamie Cullum visit www.jamiecullum.com.

Tickets are $140, $120, and $100. Call the Box Office at 631-288-1500. The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is located at 76 Main Street in Westhampton Beach. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 12 noon to 6 p.m. and later on show nights, or go on-line to www.whbpac.org.