Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra first played at Rochester Castle Gardens in July 2003 and this concert marks their seventh appearance, making the venue a home from home.
This year, his special guest will be guitarist Dave Edmunds, a former member of Rockpile and producer of such great acts as The Stray Cats, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, kd Lang and Nick Lowe.
Jools Holland, a consummate showman who blends virtuoso piano with wit and humour, has performed with the great musical icons of this age, including Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Sting, BB King, Luther Vandross and Paul Weller.
At 15, Jools formed Squeeze with Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. The band’s hits included Cool For Cats and Up The Junction.
In 1985, Jools and Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis began touring as a duo, an act that eventually evolved into the 18-piece band now known as the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. His most recent album, The Informer, was released in November 2008.
The Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, an international phenomenon that has graced venues as diverse as Kew Gardens and Glastonbury, also performs an annual sell-out Christmas concert at the Albert Hall.
In June 2003, Jools was recognised by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with an OBE in her annual Birthday Honours List for Services to the British music industry in his role as a musician and television presenter.
Did you know?
Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra now play an average of 100 live shows each year, touring the UK and Europe to audiences in excess of 500,000.
In January 2005, Jools and his band performed with Eric Clapton as the headline act of the Tsunami Relief Concert in Cardiff.
Jools married Christabel McEwen in August 2005 and the following month, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Kent.
November 2006 saw the release of Moving Out to the Country, a collection of country songs with various guest artists.
In March 2007, Jools played two special charity concerts at Wells Cathedral and Rochester Cathedral, to raise funds for the upkeep of cathedrals throughout Britain and to highlight the beauty of the historic buildings and the music within them.
Jools’ autobiography, Barefaced Lies and Boogie-Woogie Boasts, was released in October 2007.
“I didn’t think anybody could play like that. Jools has got that left hand that never stops. When the likes of Pete Johnson died, I wondered if I’d ever see that kind of playing again.”
- BB King
Tickets are: £32.
Castle Concerts are brought to you by Medway Council.
Details on this website are correct at the time of publication. Medway Council and its partners are not responsible for changes and/or cancellations beyond their control.
