Jamie Cullum serenades De Niro at Cannes

Jamie Cullum performed a medley of Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York' and Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' duet 'Empire State Of Mind' for Robert De Niro at the opening of the Canned Film Festival last night

Jamie Cullum sang to Robert De Niro at the Cannes Film Festival last night (11.05.11).

The jazz musician played a medley of Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York' and Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' duet 'Empire State Of Mind' for the screen legend in front of a star-studded audience at the opening ceremony of the event at the Palais des Festival.

Jamie was specially chosen to perform a tribute by the 'Goodfellas' star, who is acting as the chairman of the festival's jury this year.

Speaking afterwards, the 31-year-old star said: "De Niro is a film legend who defines what cinema is all about. It's amazing to have the opportunity to honour him."

He added: "It was supposed to be fun and not too serious."

Among the stars in attendance were Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, and Woody Allen.

Woody's movie 'Midnight in Paris' was the first film screened at the 64th Festival de Cannes, and before it was shown French actress Melanie Laurent introduced the jurors, who include the directors Olivier Assayas and Johnny To, Argentinean producer-and-actress Martina Gusman, Norwegian writer Linn Ullmann, Jude Law and Uma Thurman.