Music Player
 
FEBRUARY 2012
 
Thursday 9th: Autumn/Winter Tour Announced with Three Special Guests.
Jools is set to take his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on the road once again for what has now become one of the UK's most popular annual tours. Starting on Thursday 11th October 2012 at the Belfast Waterfront, the 34-date tour will bring Jools' famous big-band sound and the ultimate party experience across the length and breadth of the country, with some very special guests to accompany him.

Folk-pop sensation KT Tunstall will be making a guest appearance for eight dates (including the Royal Albert Hall). The BRIT Award-winning Scottish singer-songwriter boasts an impressive catalogue of hit singles including Suddenly I See, Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, and Other Side of the World. She originally broke into the music scene in 2004 when she performed live on Later... with Jools Holland and appeared on Jools' 2006 album Moving Out To The Country on the track Darkness On The Face Of The Earth.

Marc Almond will be making a special appearance at nine dates. Having sold over 30 million records worldwide, Marc has made an unprecedented contribution to British Popular music. In addition to numerous hits during his time in Soft Cell, including Tainted Love and Say Hello Wave Goodbye, Marc went on to become an international acclaimed solo artist with chart-topping success around the world.

Another great addition to the line-up will be former Fine Young Cannibals frontman Roland Gift. The singer had huge success with the band during the 1980s with a No. 1 UK album (1988's The Raw and The Cooked), and two No.1 hit singles She Drives Me Crazy and Good Thing – the latter also holds the honour of being the most successful record that Jools Holland has ever guested on, after it went No. 1 in 17 countries. Roland will be joining Jools on 17 dates of the tour.

Also featuring the astounding vocals of Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall, and acclaimed trombonist Rico Rodriguez, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will provide audiences with a foot-stomping, show-stopping performance that never ever fails to leave the audience wanting more.

Visit the Tour page for further information. Tickets will be on sale from Friday 10th February 2012 at 10am.

Tuesday 7th: World Class Names to Rock the Palace for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert
Staged in the stunning surroundings of the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert will take place on Monday 4th June and will feature an exceptional array of musical talent. The concert will include classic hits and one-off collaborations from artists including Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Jessie J, JLS, Elton John, Tom Jones, Lang Lang, Annie Lennox, Madness, Paul McCartney, Cliff Richard, Ed Sheeran, and Jools Holland. Other names will be announced in due course.

This historic concert, a celebration of The Queen's 60-year reign through music, will be attended by Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and other Members of the Royal Family.

For information on how to apply for tickets, please click here.

DUBAI JAZZ FESTIVAL AND OTHER 2012 TOUR DATES
Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra headlined the opening night of last year's Dubai Jazz Festival. You can see photographs from that evening here and read a review of the event here.

Jools will be back in Dubai this month. Click here for details of this event and the other 2012 tour dates.

'FINDING THE KEYS' – THE BEST OF JOOLS HOLLAND
Finding The Keys   Personally selected by Jools, the twenty tracks on Finding The Keys feature collaborations with Solomon Burke, Eric Clapton, Sam Brown, Richard Hawley, Tom Jones, and Michael McDonald, along with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, regular vocalists Louise Marshall and Ruby Turner, an unreleased track and a live song. It is released on Rhino UK. Click here for the full tracklisting.

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