Search for
Search for
Search forJools brings magic touch to Killerton
Saturday, July 19, 2008, 06:27
The most popular pianist and bandleader in the country, Jools and his 18-piece orchestra, which has been going in various incarnations since 1987, play their brand of boogie-woogie to audiences in excess of 500,000 each year.
The proverbial musical prodigy, Julian Miles Holland from Blackheath could play the piano fluently by ear at the age of eight. At the age of 15, already a veteran of the South East London pub circuit, he was introduced to Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, with whom he went on to form the meteorically successful Squeeze.
As well as his formidable live performances, Jools has maintained a prolific recording career since 1996, which includes the multi-million selling Jools 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, Sugababes, Ringo Starr, Peter Gabriel, Solomon Burke and many more.
Blues legend BB King said: “I didn't think anybody could play like that — Jools has got that left hand that never stops.”
Yet Jools is, if anything, even more renowned for his television career, starting as co-presenter (with Paula Yates) of the infamous The Tube series between 1981 and 1986.
Several shows later, in 1992, Jools' talent and experience as a musician, combined with his expertise as a TV host, landed him the BBC2 music show, Later...with Jools Holland, now in its 29th series. It is a mark of the esteem in which he is held that it is hard to think of any other possible candidates with his qualifications.
He was awarded an OBE in 2003, and his long-awaited autobiography, Barefaced Lies and Boogie-Woogie Boasts, was published last year by Michael Joseph Ltd.
Advance tickets for the show cost £30 (half price for children under 16, free for under-fives) and group discounts are available.
Tickets are available through Killerton House, Broadclyst, and Exeter Visitor Information and Tickets in Princesshay, or by calling IML Concerts or online at www.imlconcerts.co.uk Gates open at 5pm with the support artists on stage from 7.30pm. Details: 01603 660444.
Jools Holland is bringing his unique style to Killerton House, near Exeter
