Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE - Auckland Central - New Zealand
The UK’S most popular pianist and bandleader, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, featuring Gilson Lavis, and vocals from the wonderfully talented Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall, promise an outstanding night of entertainment in Auckland in March.
Tickets to this sensational concert on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 at the ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland go on sale on January 26 and fans are urged to be quick as no extra dates are possible.
Last time Jools made his “day trip to Auckland” with an 18-piece band, those lucky enough to see the concert were treated to an incredible performance, described by some as so good it was like a “religious experience”.
Jools Holland, OBE was born Julian Miles Holland on January 24, 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, BB King, Chuck Berry, and Max Wall) – who still drums with Jools.
Up The Junction and Cool For Cats made Squeeze's success meteoric and their popularity rapidly extended to America, where their tour included performances at Madison Square Garden.
In 1987, Jools formed The Jools Holland Big Band – comprising himself and Gilson Lavis. This has gradually metamorphosed into the current 20-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 four trombones.
Jools and the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra play to audiences in excess of 500,000 each year.
2009 has seen the collaboration between Jools & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with Eddi Reader on tracks for (and a cameo role in!) the movie, Me & Orson Welles, starring Claire Danes (Romeo & Juliet) and Zac Efron (High School Musical). It is directed by Richard Linklater (School of Rock, Dazed & Confused) and has opened in the UK on Monday 4th December to amazing reviews. The Soundtrack is now available via Decca/Universal Records, and it includes three songs by Jools and the Orchestra with Eddi Reader: Let's Pretend There's A Moon, I Surrender Dear, and You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It).
All the while, Jools continues to dazzle audiences with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and their live performances touring all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, France, Holland, and Belgium.