Jeff Carpenter – Pianist:

Last summer, I heard about a competition for Jamie’s concert in Bath, where I live. I entered but didn’t win – but Jamie flabbergasted my mum by ringing her up and saying that, although I didn’t win, he really liked my piece and my playing.  Mum was thrilled to hear from him and kept showing off to everyone she knew!

However Mum died last August from tertiary cancer, three days before my birthday and fairly suddenly. We were all distraught for a long time and I personally found normal life very difficult.  My piano teacher Beverly Flannagan told me to write to Jamie Cullum and let him know and thank him for speaking to my Mum as it meant the world to her.  There happened to be another competition so I sent in my letter, along with the same CD I’d sent before. We were rehearsing for the school opera Dido and Aeneas when Dad came in and said in front of all the cast that I’d won!

I was gobsmacked and certainly in denial for a few days. I also wondered if maybe Jamie was just taking pity on me – especially after seeing Glyn and David, who were both exceptional. But I didn’t get that impression from him at all.

Jamie was about the music. When he walked into the room, Jamie seemed to exude this aura of immense fun and jazz, it was amazing. I thought he was so natural a musician, it showed me that piano really is about feeling, not just technicality. His drummer and bassist are also both incredibly friendly and supportive and just so good at jazz! I loved having a chance to work with them; it was an honour!  I’d seen the stage before we played the concert so I knew what to expect. That frightened me the most.

On the day I saw all the people – they were all ecstatic from Jamie’s playing,  screaming and smiling. It was incredible. It gave me a big rush and an urge to play jazz.  The experience meant a heck of a lot to me. I felt my Mum was there somehow – and getting a chance to meet Jamie and play with him was a great honour. In the future, I’d like to be a songwriter. I’ve been writing ever since I could play and before:  it is my passion. Jamie is a huge inspiration and I’m so grateful I had a chance to meet him.

David Barton – Pianist:

My friend Andrew MacIntosh spotted an advert in a branch of Lloyds TSB and between him and my dad planned to enter me by using some recordings I’d produced. I eventually found out and was really keen to enter so I recorded a three-minute improvisation and sent it off.  I felt I had a decent chance of winning but I still didn’t think it would happen to me. I was so surprised when the letter came through nearly a week late, as I assumed I hadn’t won. It took me days to come back down to earth and I was really looking forward to the gig.

It was an honour to work with such great musicians and people I could relate to very well on a musical level.  I have performed in many places but nothing like the Royal Albert Hall – and performing with one of my idols just made that experience even more special. It was a great feeling to just walk out onto that stage – with such a vast, welcoming audience – and to experience the thrill of performing at one of the finest venues in the country.  As I left the stage, Jamie Cullum said to me, ‘It won’t be long before you will be back here,’ and then said to the audience, ‘I have a funny feeling he will have his own gig here one day.’

The experience has definitely inspired me to continue playing music and performing and made me want to give a performance at this level again.  I’m planning on taking a year out before deciding on university  or music college. I am currently working around the city performing at jazz clubs and other venues whenever possible and I will continue to do this with the long-term prospect of becoming a professional musician. Either way, I will pursue music as a career.

Glyn Daniels - Drummer:

I heard about the  competition when a friend of the family, who thought it may interest me, gave me a leaflet advertising it.  I didn’t think I had a chance at all but I had been looking to do some recording and thought this would be a good  opportunity to do so using the school’s equipment. I just sent it off because I thought I may as well give it a shot.  Working with Jamie and the musicians I found to be quite surreal at the time! However I learnt so much from Jamie, Sebastian (Jamie’s drummer) and also from Jeff and David. It was an amazing and excellent experience.

Whilst I was playing it felt very natural and I was very comfortable. However beforehand I was very excited and nervous. Walking out across the stage was very strange and my knees felt weak but once I sat down it felt like I was back in the practice room again.

The experience has given me the confidence to play with older and more  experienced musicians. I have joined a small jazz band made up of musicians of the same age and older, playing an interesting mix of jazz standards through to later cool jazz. I have also had other offers to play with other people such as gospel musicians in Bristol. I plan to continue playing and will try to make a career from music.