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R&B/Urban Soul

Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra Tickets

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Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 88 reviews

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About

Jools Holland OBE DL was born Julian Miles Holland on 24th January 1958 in Blackheath, Southeast London.  At the age of eight, he could play the piano fluently by ear, and by the time he reached his early teens he was proficient and confident enough to be appearing regularly in many of the pubs in South East London and the East End Docks.

At the age of 15, Jools was introduced to Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford; together they formed Squeeze, and shortly afterwards they were joined by Gilson Lavis (who had already played with, among others, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Max Wall) – who still drums with Jools.

In 1987, Jools formed The Jools Holland Big Band – comprising himself and Gilson Lavis. This has gradually metamorphosed into the current 19-piece Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and three trombones.

As well as formidable live performances, Jools has maintained a prolific recording career since signing to Warner Music in 1996, which includes the multimillion selling Jools Holland and Friends series. Notable 'friends' have included Sting, Chrissie Hynde, George Harrison, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Bono, Joe Strummer, KT Tunstall, Robert Plant, Smokey Robinson, Kylie, Marc Almond, Ringo Starr, Peter Gabriel, Solomon Burke, and many more.

Jools' career as a television presenter has run parallel to his musical career.  After presenting two series of Juke Box Jury in 1989 and then 26 shows of The Happening in 1990, Jools was asked in 1992 to host a new music programme for BBC2, which combined his talent and experience as a musician with his skills as a TV presenter. This was Later... with Jools Holland.

Jools' achievements were formally recognized in June 2003, when he was awarded the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Reviews

Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 88 reviews
  • Great show

    by Paulm95 on 15/12/2024The Brighton Centre - BrightonRating: 5 out of 5

    As ever a great night, with Marc Almond as a special guest

  • Fantastic!

    by Phil jonesee on 15/12/2024The Brighton Centre - BrightonRating: 5 out of 5

    The show was outstanding, so polished as a band , fantastic night!! The venue was Awful , poor food and drinks , £2.50 for a packet of crisps , but it didn't dpoil a great show . Poor show Brighton Centre , sort it out

  • Jools Holland and his blues orchestra only gets better.

    by Grit on 15/12/2024The Brighton Centre - BrightonRating: 5 out of 5

    A truly amazing concert from start to finish. Excellent guests. Have been going for 4 years this year was even better.

  • Amazing

    by Mrsb on 15/12/2024The Brighton Centre - BrightonRating: 5 out of 5

    You think it's good to watch on TV, it's amazing live!

  • Fantastic

    by Twinkle on 15/12/2024The Brighton Centre - BrightonRating: 5 out of 5

    Jools was fantastic aas he always is and super guests this year to Jolly good sing along and dance

  • Jools Dec 24 Brighton Centre

    by Di&CK on 15/12/2024Rating: 5 out of 5

    Absolutely amazing from start to finish. 2 hours flew by. A real party, what a show!!... 🥳🥳 Great venue!!

  • Jools doing what he does best

    by Boogie-woogie man on 14/12/2024Plymouth Pavilions - PlymouthRating: 5 out of 5

    A truly brilliant show, great entertainment. Also nice to see the guests being given the rating they deserve. The whole evening was truly a foot-tapping, dancing in the aisles experience.

  • Energising

    by Mavey on 14/12/2024Plymouth Pavilions - PlymouthRating: 5 out of 5

    One of the best shows I've seen. The whole show was foot tapping and dancing. Music by all was brilliant. Can't wait for the next one.

  • Absolutely fantastic

    by TRICKI on 13/12/2024Bath Forum - BathRating: 5 out of 5

    This has to have one of the best shows that I've ever been to, total entertainment !!!!!!

  • Great Night Out!

    by Sue on 12/12/2024York Barbican - YorkRating: 5 out of 5

    Book to see Jools Holland every time he comes to York, and I think this was one of his best shows ever, everyone was outstanding. It was a real foot tapping, hand clapping and dancing evening. Can't wait to book for next year 😃

  • A great evening of rhythm and blues

    by Fenners on 12/12/2024York Barbican - YorkRating: 4 out of 5

    Jools and his orchestra were not as energetic as we've witnessed during previous years. This may be a combination of the fact that Jools and a number of his colleagues were clearly carrying a heavy cold and also feeling the effects of their tour schedule. However, the evening was still very enjoyable, with fantastic performances from Marc Almond, Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall, Toby Lee and Sumudu Jayatilaka. But the stars of the evening were Jools' support act, The Luke Jackson Trio, who were absolutely brilliant! Raw blues at its best...!!! :)

  • Fabulous!!!

    by Joanne on 11/12/2024SEC Armadillo - GlasgowRating: 5 out of 5

    Fantastic night of entertainment and 'craic'! Loved it far better than the telly! Jools is magnificent at choosing the right acts for us all to share and enjoy! Not to forget the amazing ruby! Loved it pure joy!!

  • Great Gig, Shame about the Stewards

    by Maris Crane on 10/12/2024SEC Armadillo - GlasgowRating: 5 out of 5

    The fact I've been going to Jools Holland's annual gig for over 20 years says it all really. The whole ensemble were wonderful once again and what a delight it was to witness the birth of a new guitar hero in Toby Lee and such a great voice too. A fabulous gig was only spoiled by the overzealous nature of the stewards. I note another reviewer remarked that they were behaving like prison guards and I came away with the same opinion. When Jools Holland and band members are continually telling you to get up and dance and even beckoning you onto the floor in front of the stage, you should be allowed to do it as in previous years. I appreciate it's only for people sitting in the front stalls but it's always been part of the experience. Being physically stopped from doing so is poor stewardship and goes against the spirit of the event. There was hardly anyone in the audience under the age of 50 for goodness sake! I somehow doubt the stewards would have been so enthusiastic to prevent a younger crowd from enjoying themselves in this way.

  • Brilliant show

    by Jm67 on 10/12/2024SEC Armadillo - GlasgowRating: 5 out of 5

    A show full of talent which excited with great music and great guests. Overall entertaining and a great night.

  • Jools

    by Paul D on 09/12/2024SEC Armadillo - GlasgowRating: 5 out of 5

    Brilliant night, great guests fantastic atmosphere.

  • Wow! Sublime 🤩

    by Showhopper on 08/12/2024SEC Armadillo - GlasgowRating: 5 out of 5

    What a show from start to finish, the young man Freddy Lennox as the warm up act was just fabulous, gutted I need him in the lobby, trying to locate his CD now, then onto the main show, Jools was as always on fine form, it's clear he and the orchestra are fully enjoying themselves, all of the guests were phenomenal, shout out for the wonderful Toby Lee an amazing young man bursting with talent, already been on his website and ordered the LP, Ruby Taylor just bloody Devine, what a performer A must see show all round! Can't wait until next year hopefully will catch the show again

  • Marc heaven!

    by Lindyloo on 08/12/2024Rating: 5 out of 5

    Lovely to gaze upon Marc Almond and hear his inimitable voice once more !

  • Great experience !!

    by Owen & Sandra on 08/12/2024SEC Armadillo - GlasgowRating: 5 out of 5

    What a great night with Jools Holland and friends. So well entrance organisation searched, tickets scanned seats brilliant. Thanks to all

  • Fabulous evening of full throttle music and entertainment

    by SJ on 08/12/2024SEC Armadillo - GlasgowRating: 5 out of 5

    Jools Holland and orchestra amazing as usual . Guests were excellent .

  • Awesome

    by Keith on 08/12/2024SEC Armadillo - GlasgowRating: 5 out of 5

    What can you say apart from its Jools Holland. I've seen his big band four times over twelve years. This show was the best. The addition of Toby Lee added another dimension. Youthful and similar to Joe Bonamassa in style. Backing singers are fantastic individual acts in their own right. Ruby Turner is the icing on the cake. Each musician is show cased to show their skill and artistry including a new drummer. Then, of course, there is Jools, who I could watch all night playing on his own. The special guest was Marc Almond who was great. I was never a fan of Soft Cell but here he was a great entertainer. Jools Holland brings the Hootenanny atmosphere on stage and encourages audience participation. The show raced through and finished too soon. But I suppose they just wanted to get to a bar or into their beds or both. Great family entertainment. Perfect demonstration to all aspiring musicians of sticking in with the lessons and performing live music.