Jamie Cullum: Introduction (01:27)

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Singer-songwriter, pianist, jazz artist and broadcaster Jamie Cullum sets out to discover six personal projects and passions within the archives of the British Library.

Treasure One: Roots (08:25)

Cullum explores his family history and heritage beginning with his Burmese grandfather’s orphanage. India office curator Penny Brook guides Cullum through a baptism record and the evacuation of Burma during World War II.

Treasure Two: Craft (04:53)

Well-crafted shoes fascinate Cullum. He joins Guy West for a tour of the Jeffery West shoe shop and explores the history of shoemaking with Maria Lampert.

Treasure Three: Music (06:44)

Jazz is based on the musician's ability to improvise; Cullum witnesses the digitization of a radio recording of the Harry Haze Octet. Andy Linehan allows Cullum to listen to a bootleg recording of American jazz musician Memphis Slim.

Treasure Four: Inspiration (05:31)

As an entrepreneur, Cullum always admired writer Virginia Woolf for her novels and her in-home publishing company the Hogarth Press. Duncan Heyes allows Cullum to see Woolf’s “Kew Gardens” which was once printed on her in-home press.

Treasure Five: Creativity (05:22)

The beat poets, including Michael Horovitz, have been a continuous inspiration for Cullum. Horovitz and Cullum listen to a rare recording of the first International Poetry Incarnation at the Royal Abbot Hall.

Treasure Six: Passion (07:49)

Cullum explores the history of photography with John Falconer, visual arts curator. The two view the personal photography collection of William Henry Fox Talbot, and participate in a photo session using glass negatives.

Jamie Cullum's Donation (02:17)

As a donation to the British Library’s musical archives, Cullum donates one of the last copies of his first original album.

Credits: Jamie Cullum (00:35)

Credits: Jamie Cullum