28404-82HOME-grown star Jamie Cullum has been nominated for a Mobo music award for the second year running.

The Wiltshire-born jazz singer and pianist has been nominated in the best jazz act section alongside Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones.

The 24-year-old has rocketed to stardom with his mixture of classical jazz and funk.

Born in Hullavington, Jamie's album, Twentysomething, catapulted him into the jazz world breaking the boundaries of typical jazz music.

Following the lead of his older brother, Ben, Jamie took up the guitar at the tender age of eight.

It didn't take long for his interest to develop further into piano, and eventually into singing. But it wasn't until he was deep into his A-Level studies that Jamie began to feel frustrated at his lack of time to concentrate on music

He decided to take a year off to concentrate on teaching himself jazz piano.

A former pupil of Grittleton House School and Sheldon School, Chippenham, Jamie signed a £1 million recording contract in April 2003.

Since then Jamie has stayed true to his roots, performing at wedding receptions and in small clubs and bars across the country, as well as many national and international performances and public appearances.

Jamie is currently touring America.

His dad John Cullum previously told the Adver: "We're all incredibly proud of Jamie and pleased he is enjoying himself. I used to tell him that music was just a stage he was going through and that he'd grow up to do something sensible but we just laugh about that now."

The Mobo awards which recognise the best urban music began in 1996 and take place at the Royal Albert Hall on September 30. They will be hosted by N.E.R.D star Pharrell Williams.

American hip hop star Kanye West secured the most nominations overall. His seven nominations are the most for any artist in the history of the awards. Nominees for the UK Act of the Year are Amy Winehouse, Dizzee Rascal, Jamelia, former Fame Academy student Lemar, 16-year-old soul singer Joss Stone and The Streets.