STAR-STRUCK Jamie Cullum fans were given an exclusive showing of his new album at an intimate show in Cleethorpes.
The jazz-pop musician put on the show at the Parkway Cinema just two days after the release of his comeback album, Momentum.
The audience were lucky winners of Lincs FM and Compass FM's competition after they organised the gig.
The 33-year-old, whose career quietened down after he became a father in 2011, is pleased with the response to the album and new single Everything You Didn't Do.
In an exclusive interview, he told the Grimsby Telegraph: "It's been fantastic so far. We had a really good day yesterday. I played the train station, a launch gig at Shelter and then on top of the tallest building in London, so that was a good start and now in Cleethorpes to do this.
"It feels really good, I am having a good time."
Ten of the 12 songs on Momentum have been written by Jamie, who plays piano, drums and guitar.
All of the competition winners were from North East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire – with the exception of four super-fans, who bagged seats at the intimate gig for their unwavering support of the star.
Jamie continued: "I have always tried to challenge myself. On this album, that challenge was to do original songs, which is a much harder job for me to do.
"Sometimes you need to put original songs on your own record, if you put them up against covers, they never have their chance to breathe, so I went out on a limb to do that. Hopefully, this is one good musical leap forward.
Jamie, who is married to Sophie Dahl, has visited Grimsby a few times and has a "very good friend" who is from Cleethorpes.
He praised the resort and the Parkway Cinema for its individuality, which lent itself perfectly to the intimate gig.
He continued: "As soon as I am behind the piano and my musicians are here, it feels familiar and you still have to do your job, which is to connect with the people listening to you.
"This is a really great space, it's independent and takes some risks and puts on some cool stuff. Any town that does something different to everyone else is all right by me. Cleethorpes has the sun, the sea... what more could people need?"
For fans, the gig was a dream come true. Jo Walker, 65, of Humberston, won and took friend Sharon Houghton, 55, of Grimsby. Jo said: "His music is fabulous and speaks to all generations."
Winner Andrea Holden, of Cleethorpes, took her daughter Chelsea Critchley, 19.
Andrea said: "I was so chuffed to win – I think he is great."
Send your photos of the gig to pictures@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
