Jools Holland’s ‘A Blackpool Big Band Boogie’ was specially recorded for BBC Four on 24 June 2015 at the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Jools Holland and his band were joined by special guests Rumer, Marc Almond, and Ruby Turner. More than 14,000 people applied for tickets, with only a fortunate 800 securing a spot in the audience. By the end of the concert, Jools and his orchestra had almost every attendee on their feet.
The concert celebrates the golden age of big band music from the 1930s to the 1950s, with Jools presenting his interpretations of classics from legendary figures such as Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, and Woody Herman. His orchestra features some of the finest musicians in the industry, blending the incomparable power and sophistication of the big band sound with outstanding individual performances.
Highlights of the evening include Rumer’s uplifting performance of ‘Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive’, Marc Almond’s stunning rendition of Edith Piaf’s ‘Hymne à l’amour’, and Ruby Turner’s extraordinary vocal display. The concert captures the magic and vibrancy of the big band era, brought to life through Jools Holland’s masterful direction and the exceptional talents of his orchestra and guest artists.
