Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, featuring Marc Almond as special guest vocalist, with Gilson Lavis and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall, has announced a summer concert at Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, near Goudhurst, Kent. This should prove a popular return to the venue where the act last played to a sell-out crowd in 2003.

Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra has become established as one of the most prolific touring acts in the UK, creating their own unique big band sound playing a mix of boogie-woogie, swing, jazz and R&B. They now play an average of 100 live shows a year, touring Britain and the world to audiences in excess of 250,000. It’s been a particularly busy time for the music maestro recently with the publication of his autobiography, 'Barefaced Lies and Boogie-Woogie Boasts' and top 10 chart success with his latest album 'Best of Friends'.

Commenting on the booking Mark Clixby for Bedgebury says; “We are delighted to have secured a date with Jools again. The concert will be supporting The Forestry Commission’s valuable social and environmental programmes and is the first confirmed date as part of our summer concert weekend”. 

Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will be performing at Bedgebury Pinetum & Forest, Nr Goudhurst, Kent, on Saturday 7th June 2008. Tickets are £30 (subject to booking fee) and go on general sale from 9.00am on Friday 11 January 2008 from ticket hotline: 01842 814612 or buy on line from www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Info: www.joolsholland.com

Media contact: Peter d’Aguilar - 01580 213049  peter.d’aguilar@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

As well as a venue for live music, Bedgebury is now one of the South East of England’s premier active outdoor visitor attractions. With major funding from Sport England Bedgebury has created Olympic standard mountain biking facilities, plus all-ability family cycling, riding, walking and adventure play across its 2000 acres of forest.

Bedgebury is already famous for its National Pinetum, a world-class collection of dramatic conifers in a beautiful parkland setting. Bedgebury Forest offers miles of cycling, mountain-biking, riding, walking and adventure play (including Go Ape) for a modest £7.50 parking fee. Open 364 days a year, Bedgebury is the perfect place to take healthy exercise in the fresh air surrounded by a spectacular world of trees.

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