Jools Holland Announces Autumn Tour 2023 and Special Guests

Musical maestro Jools Holland and his revered Rhythm & Blues Orchestra have announced the run of dates and special guests of their 2023 Autumn/Winter UK tour. Starting in Southend on November 2nd, the tour will take in 30 shows across the UK including two dates at London's Royal Albert Hall on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th of November. Renowned as one of the UK's most popular tours, this year the show will feature The Selecter's Pauline Black and Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson as special guests.

Pauline Black and Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson are no strangers to Jools and the orchestra, having joined them for a memorable tour in 2016. The duo are founding members of the influential Coventry based two-tone band and ska pioneers The Selecter. Their debut album 'Too Much Pressure', released in 1980, still remains a key moment of British music history. The two vocalists have been an unstoppable force since relaunching The Selecter, entertaining audiences throughout the country with their incredible live performances, including hits like the classic 'On My Radio'.

Fans will be thrilled to hear that the shows will once again feature the outstanding vocals of Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall, as well as the highly talented Sumudu Jayatilaka, who joined Jools for the first time in 2022. Together with the inimitable musicianship of the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which features drums from original Squeeze member Gilson Lavis, Jools Holland will be performing tracks spanning his entire solo career. With a catalogue that reaches through decades, prepare to enjoy the greatest boogie-woogie party in town!

Jools Holland said: "Myself, my piano and Orchestra are thrilled to bits because our special guests this year are Pauline Black and Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson of The Selecter. This magnificent addition will amplify our Ska music credentials and bring an extra razzy dazzy spasm to our dance capabilities. Coupled with our own Boogie Queen and Enchantress, Ruby Turner, this mix will result in one of the most dynamic shows we've ever had. But it doesn't stop there, adding her delicious voice and harmonic enchantments to the evening, will be our very own, Louise Marshall. Further, for your aural delectation we introduce, the much sought after and wonderful new voice of Sumudu Jayatilaka. All this music will be underpinned by the drums of my Squeeze co-founder, Gilson Lavis and decorated by the scintillating soloists of the Orchestra."

Tickets for the tour are on general sale from 10am on Friday 3rd February

Photo Credit: Inez Gorden