We’ve had the great opportunity to sit down with Jamie Cullum in St. Moritz, right before his FREE show on Muottas Muragl as part of this year’s Festival da Jazz. If you want to know who the British Jazz singer could see covering one of his songs, keep reading. For some of you, the answer might be quite surprising.
This year Festival da Jazz brought one of the really big ones up to this incredible mountain stage. Just a few minutes before Jamie Cullum took the stage, we got to sit with him and ask a few questions… A big thank you to Newly Swissed and Festival da Jazz for making this happen! You can also also find a blog post about the Festival on Newly Swissed.
Interview with Jamie Cullum in St. Moritz
Thanks so much for taking the time to sit with us… How do you like it up here so far?
It’s hard to describe it actually. One of the things I thought when I came up here was: the world is an incredible place! I was in my house this morning – the English countryside, which is beautiful in its own way. But a few hours later I’m here… It looks like the legend of Zelda up here.
Your single “Work of Art” came out in the beginning of the year… Can you tell us anything about your upcoming album?
Sure. The only reason I haven’t finished it yet is because I’m touring. But I’ll finish it probably first week of September I think. I’ll take some time off in August to be with my family. It’s going to be all original music and I’m so excited for people that know my music to hear it. I have a feeling that people who have listened to my music from day one, will be particularly excited about it. For the first time I’ve done all originals on this album.
We’ve heard you say that for a long time you couldn’t really listen to your album “Twenty Something” anymore. Can you tell us what made you go back and listen to it again?
You know, it came on by accident on Spotify, when it tells you “this is an artist you might like” and there it was. Then the song “Next Year Baby” came up and I thought, you know what, it’s actually good! And then I listened to the whole album again. Also, you know, you get older, I’m going to be 40 next year! I think you get a bit kinder to yourself, the older you get. You always try to reinvent yourself, you gain more acceptances on who you are and where you came from. You can reinvent yourself, but in the end it’s always going to be that person.
So the new album will be all original songs… You do like to do covers too though. With the Song Society Series that you’re doing, there’s some great stuff there too…
Oh yeah, well that I’m going to continue for sure. The one reason it felt easier to do an album with all originals is because I know I have the Songs Society and when it’s going to say “Song Society Nr 62” I’m going to be happy. I’ve just been busy at the moment, but we’re going to get back and a good 5-10 more before the end of the year and keep putting them up on YouTube. We want to put them up on Spotify too, but we need to get the rights to all the songs of course.
Ok, so if someone would have to cover one of your songs, who would you want that to be?
Ooooh, that’s a good question! There’s a song on The Pursuit I did, called “I Think, I Love” – I would like for Lady Gaga to sing that. She likes Jazz, so it would be interesting to see what she would make of that.
You’ve been in the music business for quite a while now. What do you think has changed the most for you?
I’m not sure how much has changed. Obviously the industry has changed, tons. But you see, I’ve always been a live performing artist and just kind of got on with it really. I always toured regardless of having an album, I’ve always made an album regardless if anyone wanted to hear one. I always make an album when I’m ready to make one. I didn’t make one just because it was time to make a new album. I’ve ignored everything. Actually I think the only thing that’s different is that I’m a bit older and wiser.
Fan questions – we always ask our followers and your fans to send us some questions. Here they are:
Corina: What is your all-time favorite concert venue?
Oh you know what, it’s got to be main stage this summer at Glastonbury! It was a real moment…
Andrea: Are there differences in audiences in the UK compared to the rest of Europe?
Well, like in Spain and Portugal, there’s a real outward passion. It’s not necessarily that they enjoy it more, but I think they’re very willing to show emotions very easily. But I do try to force people to show their emotions. The reaction we had in Zurich for example was crazy, as crazy as anywhere, so I think you can’t really generalize, but sometimes when you go to Spain you’re like: wooooaah – it must be that latin blood.
Raquel: Are you ever going to perform your duet with Alejandro Sanz?
Oh you know, I would love to! I stayed in touch with him actually. So I don’t think I could do it without him obviously, but if he’d ask me, I’d be there in a heartbeat. He’s a gentleman, great singer, great musician… That was a great opportunity!
Ok, so that was the last one! Thank you so much for taking the time!
Thank you! I’ll be on stage soon, but it was very nice to meet you.
As there were still so many people waiting to get up on the mountain, the beginning of the show was pushed back a bit. That got me just enough time to go fight my way back to my spot in front of the stage where I later was able to take some pictures. The show was – as usual – awesome! If you ever have the chance to see these guys live – do it! Get yourself tickets and enjoy a night of entertainment & great music!
Concert Pictures Jamie Cullum @ Festival da Jazz – Muottas Muragl, St. Moritz
4 reasons to put the Festival da Jazz on your schedule
August 25, 2017 (04:31)
[…] One of the highlights of the Festival da Jazz is the free concert high above the valley at Muottas Muragl. This mountain overlooks the Upper Engadine with the towns of St. Moritz, Samedan and Pontresina. There, Britain’s most successful jazz musician performed this year: Jamie Cullum. Boy, what an awesome concert! Read my interview with the artist at Loads of Music. […]
Michelle
September 1, 2017 (09:24)
Thank you for sharing such a great interview, I have shared it on my Jamie Cullum fan site!! Can’t wait to hear the new album!!
Shirley
September 1, 2017 (09:48)
Hi Michelle
Thanks for your comment and sharing the interviedw on your fan site! I’m also super excited to hear the new album. Not much longer now I guess 🙂