Jamie Cullum before his sell-out pub performance for 90 people

Jamie Cullum shot to fame in 2003 with a �1m record deal after storming performances in the Royal Variety Show Hall and on Parkinson.

But before he found fame and fortune he signed up to play at The Fleece pub, a popular jazz venue in Boxford.

While some stars would have found an excuse and pulled out, Jamie, who normally plays in front of thousands, was delighted to keep his date with 90 ardent jazz fans at The Fleece before he takes off for New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Anywhere where people come out and enjoy their music as much at they do at places like this is always a pleasure to play at whatever the stage in your career Jamie Cullum

Jamie, a self-taught pianist and singer, is no stranger to the Fleece. He played there in March as a virtual unknown outside jazz circles.

They re-booked him there and then so on Friday night he returned.

Michael Burgess, of the Boxford Fleece Jazz Club, said: "The last time he came here he was getting known and then his whole life exploded - Parky and his �1m record deal.

"We are just glad we'd booked him."

Chance to develop

And the rising star was happy to be back.

"Anywhere where people come out and enjoy their music as much at they do at places like this is always a pleasure to play at whatever the stage in your career," he said.

He said his meteoric rise had not scared him but had given him the chance to develop his piano playing and singing the way he would like to.

"I just hope I have got plenty of time to grow and not burn out too quickly because I just want to play all the time," he said.