Like the British Invasion of the 60s, Jamie Cullum has taken the American jazz that inspired him in his UK home, put his own blend on it, and brought it back to the US shores with a new album (Interlude) and tour to remind the Colony what it’s best export actually is.
At the packed and cozy Largo, Cullum opened up the festive 90 minute set at the piano and delivered a passionate “Make Someone Happy” that would have made Tony Bennett proud. Joined by his versatile bandmates of Tom Richards/ts-key, Rory Simmon/tp-fh-g, Loz Garratt/b and Brad Webb/dr, Cullum mixed pieces like “Frontin” with hip shuffling and R&B grooves a raucously hip “Don’t You Know Why.” The horns swayed like it was a juke joint in Memphis on the honky tonkin’ “Get Your Way” while sounding West Coast Cool as Cullum delivered a slinky and sly read of the jazz classic “Night In Tunisia” but made palpable for pop music with lyrics as “Interlude.”
As with most true music evangelists, Cullum found no limits to his supply of American inspiration, even taking the Taylor Swift ditty “Shake It Off” and in the true spirit of the evening, jazzing it up to make it as snappy as anything from Birdland, while the mercy beat on “When I Get Famous” gave the horns a chance to show the Angelenos that jazz is a verb and not a noun. And don’t forget-this guy knows how to sing, going tender on tunes like the reflective “Blackbird,” joyfully romantic on “I Get A Kick Out of You” or growling like a juke joint jiver on “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” His piano playing can go from earthy Jerry Lee Lewis stride to 52nd Street Bud Powell as well, bridging the bop to rock to pop like the Ponte Vecchio.
But, to simply focus on the music is to miss the point. Cullum’s enthusiasm for delivering a song, and his desire to connect with the audience is palpable. While singing from on top of the piano, or jumping into the aisle with his band to sing and play, or to sing “Amazing Grace” to open up his spiritual heart may all seem kitsch on paper, the exuberance of this young artist is infectious, and it reminds you of why you liked music to begin with; it was FUN! Cullum and company made enjoying music enjoyable again.
Upcoming shows include The Watkins Family Hour 2/15, Sam Phillips 2/22 and Colin Hay 4/10