Jools Holland returns to the Waterfront Hall on 23 October 2021 with Eddi Reader and Squeeze vocalist Chris Difford as special guests along with his acclaimed Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.
Just like his previous Belfast shows, Jools will be joined on vocals by Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall and his fellow Squeeze member Gilson Lavis on drums, as well as multi award winning Eddi Reader as she celebrates forty years as a live artist!
Jools Holland OBE DL was born Julian Miles Holland on 24 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.
Returning to the Waterfront Hall following a sold-out performance in 2018.
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.
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, that included songs from many artists including Stevie Wonder, Lead Belly and Percy Mayfield.
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.
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, 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.
Jools' achievements were formally recognized in June 2003, when he was awarded the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Don't miss Jools Holland and his iconic Rhythm & Blues Orchestra live at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast on 23 October 2021. It's going to be a night to remember!
