Jools Holland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jools Holland OBE DL
Holland at the British Academy Television Awards 2009
Born	Julian Miles Holland (1958-01-24) 24 January 1958 (age 67) Blackheath, London, England
Occupation	Musician composer television presenter bandleader
Years active	1974–present
Spouse(s)	Christabel McEwen ​ (m. 2005)​
Children	3
Musical career
Genres	Boogie-woogie jazz blues R&B punk rock new wave ska
Instruments	Piano keyboards vocals
Labels	EastWest, I.R.S. Records
YouTube information
Genre	Music
Subscribers	33.9K
Total views	6,889,544

Julian Miles Holland (born 24 January 1958) is a famous English musician and TV presenter. He is known for playing the piano and leading bands. Jools was one of the first members of the band Squeeze.

He has worked with many well-known artists. These include Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Rod Stewart. From 1982 to 1987, Jools helped present The Tube, a music TV show. Since 1992, he has hosted Later... with Jools Holland on BBC2. This show also includes his yearly special, Hootenanny.

In 2004, he made an album with Welsh singer Tom Jones. It featured traditional R&B music. In 2024, Jools got his first UK number one album. It was called Swing Fever and was a collaboration with Rod Stewart.

Early Life and Musical Start

Jools Holland was born on 24 January 1958. His hometown was Blackheath in South East London. He started playing the piano by ear when he was only eight years old. This means he could play songs just by listening to them.

By his early teenage years, Jools was already performing. He played regularly in pubs across South East London. He also played in the East End Docks.

Music Career and TV Shows

Jools Holland began his career as a session musician. This means he played music for recordings without being a main band member. His first studio recording was in 1976.

He was a founding member of the British pop band Squeeze. The band started in March 1974. Jools played keyboards for them until 1980. He was part of their first three albums.

Jools started releasing his own music in 1978. His first solo record was called Boogie Woogie '78. He continued his solo career in the early 1980s. During this time, he released an album and several singles.

He also began working in television. He co-presented The Tube. This TV music show was based in Newcastle. He hosted it with Paula Yates.

In 1985, the band Squeeze got back together. Jools rejoined them as their keyboard player. He stayed with the band until 1990. Then, he left again to focus on his solo music. He also continued his work as a TV host.

In 1987, Jools formed the Jools Holland Big Band. It started with him and Gilson Lavis from Squeeze. The band grew over time and was renamed Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. By 2022, it had 17 members. It included singers like Louise Marshall and Ruby Turner. Jools's daughter Mabel Ray and his brother Christopher Holland also joined.

From 1988 to 1990, Jools co-hosted Sunday Night. This music show was on NBC late-night television. Since 1992, he has hosted the music show Later... with Jools Holland. He also hosts the yearly New Year's Eve special, Hootenanny.

In 1996, Jools signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. His music is now sold through Rhino Records.

Holland and his R&B Orchestra performing at GuilFest 2012

On 29 November 2002, Jools performed at the Concert for George. This event celebrated the music of George Harrison. In January 2005, Jools and his band performed with Eric Clapton. They were the main act at the Tsunami Relief Cardiff concert.

Jools also hosted a show called Jools Holland on BBC Radio 2. It featured live music, recorded music, and interviews. He currently hosts Earlier with Jools Holland on BBC Radio 3.

In March 2023, Jools joined a new supergroup called The Barnestormers. Other members included Jimmy Barnes and Slim Jim Phantom. They released a self-titled album in May 2023.

He achieved his first UK number one album in 2024. This was Swing Fever, made with Rod Stewart.

Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra at Guilfest 2012

Personal Life and Hobbies

When Jools Holland was a teenager, he lived with his grandparents. He has shared stories about this time.

Jools has three children. He has a son, George, and a daughter, Rose, from a past relationship. On 30 August 2005, Jools married Christabel McEwen. They had been together for 15 years. They have a daughter named Mabel.

Jools lives in Westcombe Park, southeast London. He built his studio there, called Helicon Mountain. It was inspired by Portmeirion, a village from the 1960s TV show The Prisoner. He also owns a manor house in Kent.

Jools has a very detailed hobby. He spent ten years building a 100-foot (30 m) model railway in his attic. It has tiny buildings and landscapes. These stretch from Berlin to London. He uses old photos and paintings of London from the 1960s to build it. He enjoys building trains and buildings in the evenings. Then he plays music, has a glass of wine, and watches the trains move.

Jools received an OBE in 2003. This award was for his work in the British music industry. In 2006, he became a Deputy Lieutenant for Kent. He has also received other honors.

He has performed at charity events. In 2006, he played in Southend for an HIV/AIDS charity. In 2007, he performed at Wells and Rochester Cathedrals. These concerts raised money to help maintain the cathedral buildings. He also supports Drake Music, a charity for musicians with disabilities.

Jools is a big fan of the 1960s TV series The Prisoner. In 1987, he starred in a funny documentary about it. It was called The Laughing Prisoner. He played a character called No. 7.

Jools was an interviewer for The Beatles Anthology TV project. He also appeared in the 1997 film Spiceworld. In the film, he was the musical director.

Books Written by Jools

Jools Holland has also written books. His 2007 autobiography is called Barefaced Lies and Boogie-woogie Boasts. An autobiography is a book about a person's own life. This book was featured on BBC Radio 4.

Discography Highlights

Jools Holland has released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of his albums that have appeared on music charts.

Charting and Certified Albums

Film and Television Appearances

Jools Holland has appeared in many films and television shows. He is well-known for his hosting roles.

Past TV and Film Roles

• 1981 Urgh! A Music War
• 1982–1987 The Tube (Host for 121 episodes)
• 1984 The Young Ones: a punk character
• 1987 Eat the Rich: Sun Reporter
• 1987 Filthy Rich & Catflap: Strip Show Pianist
• 1987 The Laughing Prisoner: No. 7
• 1988 Sunday Night: Host
• 1989–1990 Juke Box Jury: Host
• 1990–1992 Jools Holland's Happening
• 1995 The Beatles Anthology
• 1997 Spice World: Musical Director
• 1997 Name That Tune: Host and Pianist
• 1998 Beat Route: Round the World with Jools Holland: Host
• 2003 Jools' History of the Piano: Presenter
• 2007 Top Gear: Star in a reasonably priced car
• 2009 Chop Shop Rover Concept: The Jet 1 Car : Customer
• 2012 Jools Holland – London Calling: Presenter
• 2014 The Life of Rock with Brian Pern as himself
• 2023 Little Trains & Big Names with Pete Waterman as himself

Current Television Programmes

• 1992–present Later... with Jools Holland
• 1993–present Hootenanny
• 2020–present Celebrity Gogglebox with Vic Reeves

See also

In Spanish: Jools Holland para niños