An untrained jazz wannabe from Wiltshire has just landed a £1million contract with Universal Music after convincing execs he could win both jazz and pop fans to become the "David Beckham of jazz". Jamie Cullum funded his first album 'Pointless Nostalgia' himself, which he then sold after gigs. He moved to London to get more gig work, and it was while performing in London he got noticed by a handful of a&rs who liked how he incorporated well know rock music into his jazz set.
Talking about his record deal and hopes for a successful career he told the BBC: "I think there are a lot of opportunities in the music business for different types of music at the moment, and it's a good time to be making records. I'm not playing hardcore free jazz, this is a lot more modern. I think it could open up a new market".
Universal Marketing Director Dickon Stainer added: "Jamie Cullum's destiny is to become to jazz what David Beckham is to football."
His first major release is expected in September - bosses hope to team him up with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich.