The whole venue was packed from the outset with expectant middle class and middle aged fans filling the stage floor, the subterranean bar area and the balconied restaurant. I'd managed to plant myself right at front of stage, so the legend that was Holland was going to sit feet away from me at his baby grand piano!

When he sprung onto the stage I was amazed how petite Holland was, with tiny black patent leather shoes, red braces and snappy dark blue suit to boot. His army of an orchestra quickly followed, filling a whole side of the room with their menagerie of instruments; from young female sax players to ancient reggae loving Granddads and middle aged men playing instruments I'd never even seen before they were all there!
The huge sound of the Rhythm &Blues Orchestra filled the Jam House from then on playing songs like 'Fat Fred' and 'Dr Jazz' that went down incredibly well with the crowd who were swaying politely in time to the music. Solo spots from trombonists, trumpeters and saxophonists kept their attention and highlighted the obvious proficiency and expertise of the orchestra that are touring constantly this year.
But it was when Holland took a back seat and allowed guest singers to take centre stage that the night really livened up. First it was time for perhaps unknown Rosie May and Louise Macdonald to parade their singing prowess, but that was nothing in comparison to when Holland introduced "Boogie Woogie Queen Ruby Turner". She really cranked up the atmosphere and volume with her spectacular vocals.
Just when the audience thought it couldn't get any better and were dancing, clapping and enjoying very moment Holland announced "I have a very special guest here with me tonight. Please put your hands together for Mr Marc Almond!" Mr Marc Almond? Of massive Soft Cell fame? Had I heard it right? Yes I sure had. As my photographer partner had a baby as she quickly fitted her big lens and ran to take more photos, the Jam House erupted into whoops and massive cheers.
Almond's three song set was absolutely amazing. Okay, so he may not have the strongest voice in the world but his theatrical, West End style and suited smartness made him the perfect frontman for such a gargantuan orchestra in such a small venue. The bling of his teeth almost blinded me as he marched his way through 'Wave Hello, Say Goodbye' and 'On My Soul I Swear'.

Then, he prepared the crowd for some "serious dancing and serious singing" as he sang an amazing swing version of 'Tainted Love'. When I saw every member of the audience was mouthing every single world and dancing you could certainly tell they were enjoying themselves! As one crowd member stated "they say opposites attract". And they certainly did as I would never have dreamt in a million years that Almond fronting Holland's orchestra would work but it did.
In fact it was the total highlight of the night that got every single person in the room to their feet, with their hands in the air. The final songs from Holland and his Rythum & Blues Orchestra seemed to pale in comparison, as did the Ruby Turner encore. I left practically in a daze that Marc Almond had been there too. He is appearing with Holland on other tour dates in the next few weeks so if you want to be amazed and astounded you should see if he's appearing at a venue near you.

FUTURE GIGS
- date performer venue price
-
Sat 8 May 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Coventry
Warwick Arts Centre & Butterworth Hall
[CV4 7AL] £37.50
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Fri 28 May 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Norwich
University of East Anglia (U.E.A.)
[NR4 7TJ] £35.00
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Sun 13 Jun 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes Theatre
[MK9 3NZ] £45.50
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Sat 24 Jul 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Liverpool
Philharmonic Hall
[L1 9BX] £41.75
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Sun 25 Jul 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Llandudno
Venue Cymru (Llandudno Arena, Theatre)
[LL30 1BB] £45.00
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Thu 28 Oct 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Southend-on-Sea
Cliffs Pavilion
[SS0 7RA] £44.00
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Fri 29 Oct 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Southend-on-Sea
Cliffs Pavilion
[SS0 7RA] £44.00
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Sat 30 Oct 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Ipswich
Regent Theatre
[IP1 1DH] £44.00
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Sun 31 Oct 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Cambridge
Corn Exchange
[CB2 3QB] £44.00
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Thu 4 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Reading
The Hexagon
[RG1 7UA] £44.00
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Fri 5 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
York
Barbican Centre (York)
[YO10 4NT] £44.00
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Sat 6 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Harrogate
Harrogate International Centre
[HG1 5LA] £44.00
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Sun 7 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Northampton
Derngate Theatre
[NN1 1DP] £44.00
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Thu 11 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Stockton-on-Tees
Globe Theatre
[TS18 1PL] £44.00
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Fri 12 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Nottingham
The Royal Centre (Royal Concert Hall + Theatre Royal)
[NG1 5ND] £44.00
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Sat 13 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Stoke-on-Trent
Victoria Hall
[ST1 3AD] £44.00
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Sun 14 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Oxford
New Theatre (was The Apollo)
[OX1 2AG] £44.00
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Wed 17 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Portsmouth
Guildhall
[PO1 2AB] £44.00
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Thu 18 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Bournemouth
BIC (& Windsor Hall, & Tregonwell Hall)
[BH2 5BH] £44.00
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Fri 19 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
City of Westminster
Royal Albert Hall
[SW7 2AP] £58.00
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Sat 20 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
City of Westminster
Royal Albert Hall
[SW7 2AP] £76.50
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Thu 25 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Leicester
De Montfort Hall
[LE1 7RU] £44.00
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Fri 26 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Sheffield
City Hall
[S1 2JA] £44.00
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Sat 27 Nov 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Exeter
Great Hall at Exeter University
[EX4 4PY] £44.00
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Wed 1 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle City Hall
[NE1 8SF] £44.00
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Thu 2 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle City Hall
[NE1 8SF] £44.00
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Fri 3 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Glasgow
SECC (The Armadillo & Clyde Auditorium)
[G3 8YW] £44.00
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Sat 4 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Glasgow
SECC (The Armadillo & Clyde Auditorium)
[G3 8YW] £44.00
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Thu 9 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Bath
The Forum
[BA1 1UG] £44.00
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Fri 10 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Plymouth
Plymouth Pavilions
[PL1 3LF] £44.00
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Sat 11 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Brighton
Brighton Centre
[BN1 2GR] £44.00
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Fri 17 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Leeds
First Direct Arena
[LS2 8BY] £44.00
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Sat 18 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Manchester
Manchester O2 Apollo
[M12 6AP] £44.00
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Sun 19 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Cardiff
Cardiff Motorpoint (previously CIA)
[CF10 2EQ] £44.00
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Mon 20 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Birmingham
Symphony Hall
[B1 2EA] £44.00
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Tue 21 Dec 2021
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Birmingham
Symphony Hall
[B1 2EA] £44.00
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