Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra

Jools Holland brings his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra to Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on 14 November 2026. A pianist and bandleader rooted in boogie-woogie, Holland first broke through with Squeeze before shaping a live sound that threads blues, swing and early rock’n’roll. On stage he drives the band from the piano, left hand setting a tough groove while the right fires quick, melodic runs. His approach favours tight arrangements, brisk tempos and brass lines that push the melodies forward.

The Orchestra plays like a modern big band: bright horns, a locked-in rhythm section and room for solos without losing the pulse. Setlists typically slip from jump-blues shuffles to New Orleans-leaning vamps and slower r&b shades, with call-and-response hooks and sharp dynamic shifts. It’s an evening built around the conversation between piano and horns, precision and spontaneity, delivered by a band that knows how to make these songs breathe on stage. Fans of classic r&b, boogie and swing will find Holland doing what he does best: leading from the keys and keeping the room moving in Bournemouth.