Jamie CullumJAZZ maestro Jamie Cullum entertained a 7,000-strong crowd at a charity concert in aid of Bath Royal United Hospital's Forever Friend's Appeal.

The 25-year-old, who was raised in Hullavington, and attended Grittleton House and Sheldon School in Chippenham, played only his second gig at Bath, on the Recreation Ground on Sunday night and thrilled his fans with a melodic mix of blues, funk and pop.

Running across the stage, he brought an infectious energy to the show and gave a rousing feet-tapping performance of his Twentysomething. He also sang What a Difference a Day Makes as well as dueting with Bath-based singer Clare Teal.

The pair also sang a new song for the first time in public called London Sky which was dedicated to stoic Londoners after the recent bombings.

The Forever Friends Appeal is particularly important to Jamie since his father John from Bathwick Hill, is its vice-president.

Mr Cullum said his son's concert had raised tens of thousands of pounds for the appeal and the money would be used to buy a new CT scanner for patients.

Speaking to the Gazette at at a family gathering before Jamie jetted off for another gig in London, Mr Cullum said his son had such a hectic schedule that he really valued these private moments.

Mr Cullum said: "The concert went very well. Jamie loves coming home and playing to the west country venues. It was like a home-grown concert. Jazz is typically associated with older people but Jamie loves his music and everyone talks about the energy of his show. He is also very grounded and appreciates his fans."

Mr Cullum said Jamie's elder brother, Ben, 30, who has released his own dance music CD has also worked on producing much of Jamie's music.

He said: "They work together. I played in rock band called Take 5 at university and was a warm-up act for Spencer Davis and the Kinks, that's my claim to fame. Jamie's mum Yvonne also sings in the Silver Ring Choir in Bath."

Jamie's new CD, Catching on Tales is released on September 26 and his dad is already a big fan.

Mr Cullum said: " Jamie's music has moved on. It's a lot edgier with a lot of original numbers."