LEGENDARY musician Jools Holland and his celebrated Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will be joined by music icon Leo Sayer on their renowned autumn/winter tour, which is now in its 24th year.

The show comes to The Hexagon in Reading on Saturday, November 21.

Original Squeeze chum Chris Difford will also return to the stage with Jools.

Jools Holland and The Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will once again take their much-loved annual tour around the UK featuring dazzling long-term vocalist Ruby Turner, with her breathtaking gospel, soul, blues vocals and songs written with Jools, as well as Louise Marshall, whose mellifluous voice illuminates all she sings.

Also on tour is original Squeeze member and powerhouse Gilson Lavis on drums.

Leo Sayer is an extraordinary global musical success story with his first seven hit singles in the United Kingdom all reaching the Top 10.

A prolific songwriter, he is responsible for writing songs such as “When I Need You”, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”, “Thunder In My Heart” and many other hits covered by artists all over the world.

Followers of Jools Holland will be familiar with his Squeeze co-founder, sometimes songwriting and touring partner, Chris Difford. As well as his work with Glen Tilbrook in Squeeze, he’s written with Elton John, Paul Carrack, Lisa Stansfield, Bryan Ferry, Helen Shapiro, Elvis Costello and, of course, Jools Holland, who describes him as ‘the John Lennon of London, the John Betjeman of Blackheath and the Alain Delon of Deptford’.

Previous special guests who have performed with Jools on his UK tours include the likes of Eddi Reader, Lulu, Joss Stone, Roland Gift, Melanie C and Marc Almond.

Jools is currently recording his next album which will focus on his piano stylings, some duets and collaborations with other top instrumentalists. Watch out for it later in the Autumn.

With a tremendous collection of Jools tunes and his styling of ska boogie woogie and blues, this UK tour promises to be an extraordinary and unforgettable night out that will have audiences weeping and on their feet.

Jools formed The Jools Holland Big Band – comprising himself and Gilson Lavis - in 1987.

It has since metamorphosed into the current 19-piece Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and three trombones.

Jools and the band play to audiences in excess of 300,000 each year, touring all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, France, Holland, and Belgium.

In 2017 Jools and his Orchestra were joined on stage for their autumn/winter UK tour by Grammy Award winner José Feliciano, one of the most prominent stars in Latin America and revered musicians in the world.

Jools’ achievements were formally recognised in June 2003, when he was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Tickets went on general sale this Friday, February 7, at 10am. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

They can be bought at whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on or call the ticket office on 0118 9606060.