MUSICAL virtuoso Jools Holland and his distinguished Rhythm & Blues Orchestra have announced dates and special guests for their UK tour for 2019.

Accompanying Jools with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on their annual excursion around the UK will be the supremely talented Ruby Turner, with her breath-taking gospel, soul and rhythm & blues vocals, Louise Marshall, with her beautiful soul and jazz tones, as well as original Squeeze member and powerhouse Gilson Lavis on drums.

Coming to The Hexagon in Reading on November 14, the 32-date tour also features two performances at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London.

Additional special guests will be BRIT Award winner Eddi Reader, as well as Pauline Black and Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson from the legendary ska band The Selecter.

Jools has previously described Eddi Reader as one of his favourite singers of all time.

They have been collaborating musically for more than 20 years, with highlights that include their single 'Waiting Game', which Jools co-wrote with Chris Difford.

Eddi also famously harmonised with Annie Lennox while touring with the Eurythmics, as well as leading vocals in the band Fairground Attraction, reaching the top of the UK charts in 1988 with the single Perfect.

The Selecter, featuring Pauline Black and Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson, are celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary with an extended European/UK tour that will see them on the road for most of 2019.

They will be entertaining audiences throughout the country with their energetic live performances, which include the show stoppers On My Radio, Train To Skaville and Too Much Pressure.

Previous special guests to have performed with Jools on his UK tours include the likes of Lulu, Joss Stone, Roland Gift, Melanie C and – most recently – Marc Almond, who released a joint album with Jools in November 2018, ‘A Lovely Life To Live’.

With a tremendous collection of Jools tunes and other boogie-woogie classics to choose from, Jools’ UK tour is set to be an unforgettable night out that will have audiences on their feet.

Tickets are on general sale from February 1. Tickets are priced from £42, plus booking fee.