Jools Holland Autumn Tour
When: 6th December 2024 – 7th December 2024
Location: SEC Armadillo
Jools Holland is bringing his magnificent rhythm and blues orchestra back to Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo for 2 nights on 6th and 7th December 2024.
Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra are a rhythm and blues band led by boogie-woogie pianist Jools Holland. Holland formed the band in 1994 and the current 20-piece band consists of piano, organ, drums and female vocals. As well as electric guitar, bass guitar, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, baritone saxophones, trumpets, and trombones.
In 1973, at the age of 15, Holland was introduced to Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford. Together they formed Squeeze. Shortly afterwards they were joined by Gilson Lavis – who still drums with Jools.
Up The Junction and Cool For Cats gave Squeeze meteoric success and their popularity rapidly extended to America. 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.
Formidable live performances
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.
