The official programme of the Azores as European Region of the Year 2010 opens with a concert by Jamie Cullum at the Teatro Micaelense on February 21 at 9:30 PM.

Following the launch of the image and the logo of the Azores as European Region of the Year 2010 at the Lisbon Tourism Market and at the Conference: “Azores: European Region of the Year 2010, an asset for Europe” which was attended by the President of the European Commission, Durão Barroso and whose Closing Session was presided over by Carlos César, it is now time to open the official programme in the Azores with a concert by this exceptional European musician.

Jamie Cullum, who was the artist chosen to open the programme of the “European Region of the Year 2010” in the Azores, is a singer, composer, pianist, guitarist and drummer, with an internationally recognised talent, and he represents the fusion of various styles, such as Acid Jazz, Rock Hip-hop, blues and pop in a contemporary style.

The British singer has just released the fifth album “The Pursuit,” whose first single “Don’t Stop the Music” has been repeatedly broadcasted in national and regional radio stations, being the basis for the European tour in which he is expected to perform at the Coliseu de Lisboa on May 25.

Jamie Cullum has won several awards, being distinguished with the Rising Star award at the jazz festival “British Jazz Awards 2003.” He was nominated for best song and best performance at the “Brit Awards 2005” and he won the award for Artist of the Year at the “BBC Jazz Awards” in 2005.

The concert to take place at the Teatro Micaelense on February 21 will open the Official Program of the year when the Azores elected their double purpose: to bring the Azores to Europe and celebrate European culture in the Azores.

BIOGRAPHY

Jamie Cullum was born in Essex, England on August 20, 1979. He has always been obsessed with music, particularly with the styles such as Rock, Hip Hop, Acid Jazz, Blues, amongst others.

He discovered jazz at an early age due to references such as Miles Davis or Herbie Hancock, while he was also interested in groups such as Steely Dan. 
 
Jamie Cullum taught himself to play piano and while studying at the university, he began working as a pianist and singer, performing in any place where he could play, from cruises to weddings, bar, etc.

In 1999 he released his first album with some friends, Heard It All Before. Only 500 copies made from this album, which are now sold by 900€, each, on eBay. After finishing his degree, he released the album, Pointless Nostalgic, where most songs are covers of other well-known musicians, such as George Gershwin and Thelonious Monk.

In 2003 Jamie Cullum signed a contract for 3 albums with Universal producer, after victory over Sony Music Entertainment. In October of that same year, he launched his third album, TwentySomething, which was platinum, becoming the no. 1 in the UK charts. The album contains several original songs written by Jamie such as, All At Sea, TwentySomething, Next Year and Baby, as well as interesting covers such as High and Dry by Radiohead, Lover, You Should've Come Over by Jeff Buckley or even a song in a somewhat different style, Frontin, by Pharrell Williams.

On September 26, 2005 he released his fourth album, Catching Tales, which includes various original songs - Photograph, London Skies, Mind Trick, My Yard, etc - and some covers.