Jools Holland

3Arena, Dublin.
23rd October 2020.
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Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
Thursday 22nd October 2020.
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JOOLS HOLLAND CONFIRMS EDDIE READER AND SQUEEZE VOCALIST CHRIS DIFFORD AS SPECIAL GUESTS

FOR BELFAST AND DUBLIN THIS OCTOBER

Jools Holland has confirmed Eddie Reader and Squeeze vocalist Chris Difford as special guests along with his acclaimed Rhythm & Blues Orchestra at Waterfront Hall 22^nd October and 3Arena 23^rd October 2020.

Just like last year’s sold out Dublin show, Jools will be joined on vocals by Ruby Turner & Louise Marshall fellow Squeeze member Gilson Lavis on drums.

Tickets from €60 including booking and facility fees available now at Ticketmaster.

Jools Holland OBE DL was born Julian Miles Holland on 24th January 1958 in Blackheath, South East 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.

Up The Junction and Cool For Cats gave Squeeze meteoric success and their popularity rapidly extended to America, where their tour included performances at New York's Madison Square Garden.

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.

In 2017 Jools and his Orchestra were joined on stage for their Autumn/Winter UK tour by Grammy Award winner José Feliciano, one of the most prominent stars in Latin America and revered musicians in the world. They also recorded an album together, As You See Me Now, which includes versions of songs from a wide range of artists such as Stevie Wonder (Treat Myself), Lead Belly (Midnight Special), Percy Mayfield's timeless soul classic Hit The Road Jack and a completely new ska makeover of José's festive international hit Feliz Navidad.

2018 saw Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra team up with international star and long-term friend Marc Almond on a 14-track album, “A Lovely Life To Live”, a fantastic collection of both brand new, original tracks written by Jools and Marc as well as their big band interpretations of a wide range of songs. Highlights include Marc and Soft Cell’s iconic Tainted Love, Edith Piaf’s Hymne À L’amour, Irving Berlin’s How Deep Is The Ocean, two Bobby “Blue” Bland songs – It’s My Life Baby and I’ll Take Care Of You and their co-written trio of songs that are all about the pair’s adoration and relationship with London - I Lost My City, Workhouse Blues and London You Were My Lover.  Marc also accompanied them on their live shows, throughout 2018.

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. The show has reawakened the innovative spirit of The Tube and celebrated 25 years, 50 series and over 360 episodes of broadcast on BBC Two with a special show at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 21st September 2017. The 53rd series concluded in November 2018.

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

Jools Holland  |  Eddie Reader  |  Chris Difford