Christmas is a rich aural tradition, right from the moment you put on that first holiday classic of the year, to the crackling of embers in the fireplace on Christmas Day. With his newest album, ‘The Pianoman at Christmas’, Grammy-nominated jazz musician Jamie Cullum adds to the welcome sounds of the festive season as he draws from jazz greats such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald to create nostalgia-inducing compositions for that most wonderful time of the year. In this episode, Cullum breaks down his creative influences, from the short stories of David Sedaris to the chord progressions of the Great American Songbook, and offers his thoughts on why melancholy is an indispensable part of the Christmas experience.

“Every movement within those chords feels like you're coming home...in the most beautiful way. You take the scenic route home, and I think that's the Christmas feeling.”