Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra Autumn Tour

Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra

Jools Holland is nothing short of a musical legend. Whether it’s his long-running role as host of 'Later… with Jools Holland' or his early days as a founding member of new-wave favourites Squeeze, his impact on British music is undeniable. Yet, it could be argued that Jools shines brightest when leading his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, who kicked off their extensive Autumn Tour this week with two shows in Southend before arriving at the Cambridge Corn Exchange last night. A capacity crowd packed into the iconic venue, whose stage has rarely looked wider than it did last night, accommodating Jools, his 15-piece orchestra, and four incredible special guest vocalists, with every single person on stage contributing to a night of incredible fun from start to finish. This was by no means a Jools Holland solo show with an orchestra behind him. It was a full-bodied musical machine where everyone played their part, with Jools making sure each musician had their moment centre stage, repeatedly shouting them out by name throughout the night. The result was an infectious energy that amplified the sense of joy radiating from every performer.

After welcoming the audience to the show, Jools and his orchestra launched straight into one of their most timeless boogies, ‘Skin The Cat’, instantly setting the tone for the evening with a dazzling display of top-tier musicianship delivered with effortless charm and flair that you couldn’t help but sit back and be amazed by. However, it wasn’t long before the audience stopped sitting back and became part of the show themselves, the first of many moments like it, as everyone in attendance joined in for a spirited singalong of ‘'Tain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It)’. These two opening numbers had the crowd thoroughly warmed up, with the feel-good energy in the room building with every note. That momentum carried straight into the Orchestra’s next two pieces, ‘We Gonna Move (To the Outskirts of Town)’ and ‘Honky Tonk Is Here To Stay’, with the instrumentals on both songs standing out as some of the night’s finest, perfectly complementing Jools’ blues-infused vocals.

As impressive as Jools’ live vocals are, he was by no means the only vocal star on stage, as he is joined on this tour by four very special guests. Sumudu Jayatilaka was the first to take to the stage, her powerful voice and soulful scatting instantly elevating the performance. She commanded the spotlight like a natural headliner, with a presence to match her incredible talent. Sumudu was soon followed by another of Jools’ long-term collaborators, Louise Marshall, whose rich, emotive vocals captivated the audience, drawing everyone in with every note she sang. Between these two sensational vocalists, Jools revealed another ‘special guest’ in a tongue-in-cheek manner: his piano. This led into a performance of two dazzling numbers, including the extended outro to his collaboration with The The on ‘Uncertain Smile’. Performed with a more stripped-back orchestral arrangement, these songs truly highlighted the remarkable talent Jools Holland possesses.

A blistering performance of ‘Shake, Rattle, Roll’ had the audience on their feet dancing, providing the perfect introduction to the stage for the tour’s main special guest, Irish superstar Imelda May, whose arrival sent the Corn Exchange crowd stratospheric. As the heroes’ welcome began to calm, Imelda led the audience through a rousing rendition of her debut single ‘Johnny Got A Boom Boom’. Her presence on stage was magnetic, commanding like the seasoned performer she is, with every line only increasing the audience’s admiration.

The true magic of Imelda May's section, and arguably the standout moment of the entire evening, came with her second song, ‘Black Tears’. Imelda prefaced this performance by saying what a joy it is to perform with Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, adding that Roger Goslyn's orchestral arrangement for the song means it has “never sounded more gorgeous.” It only took a few lines to see just how true this was from an instrumental standpoint, yet even with such incredible music behind her, it was Imelda’s vocals that truly stole the show. The passion she poured into every word of the chorus was awe-inspiring, with the perfect touch of rockabilly rasp enhancing the emotion of the performance. This was one of those unforgettable moments that you’ll remember for years to come.

With the audience nearly stunned by the sheer power of Imelda May’s performance, Jools and his band reignited the energy with another brilliant boogie-woogie jam, paving the way for the arrival of the evening’s final special guest, the Queen of Boogie-Woogie herself, Ruby Turner. Ruby stormed the stage, instantly propelling the room’s energy into overdrive as she led the crowd through an electrifying rendition of ‘Flip, Flop and Fly’, immediately demonstrating why her presence alongside the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra is so cherished. Ruby’s set showcased her formidable vocals, with each of the four special guests bringing something unique to the stage that complemented one another, Jools, and the full orchestra’s musicality perfectly. The range across their performances kept the night feeling fresh and exciting, with each moment building on the last to create a truly unforgettable experience for this sold-out audience.

From start to finish, the night was a masterclass in musicianship and showmanship, filled with infectious energy, playful moments and jaw-dropping talent, but that should come as no surprise given it was led by one of the finest showmen around. Jools Holland, his remarkable orchestra, and the incredible lineup of guest vocalists delivered a performance that was as musically impressive as it was unrelentingly fun. Time seemed to fly in the Corn Exchange as every note, riff, and vocal flourish kept the audience captivated, making it a night that will be remembered fondly by all who attended for a long time.


Performers on the Night:

Jools Holland (Piano/Guitar), Imelda May (Special Guest Vocalist), Ruby Turner (Vocals), Louise Marshall (Vocals), Sumudu Jayatilaka (Vocals), Ed “Roddy” Richardson (Drums), Mark Flanagan (Guitar), Dave Swift (Bass), Christopher Holland (Organ/Piano), Phil Veacock (Saxophone), Michael 'Bammi' Rose (Saxophone), Derek Nash (Saxophone), Anna Brooks (Saxophone), Nick Lunt (Baritone Saxophone), Roger Goslyn (Trombone), Fayyaz Virji (Trombone), Winston Rollins (Trombone), Jason McDermid (Trumpet), Jon Scott (Trumpet), Chris Storr (Trumpet).