Exploring Boisdale Patron of Music Jools Holland’s passion for music
Mary Ann Haslam
Pianist, composer, founder of Squeeze, ianist, composer, founder of Squeeze, bandleader, TV presenter, Patron of Music at Boisdale... is there anything Jools Holland can't do? One thing's for certain, there is a common theme weaving through all these successful roles and which, he says, has been with him since he was very young.
"[Music] is the first and chief passion. It was really the starting point of my life and has been my life ever since. It's something I am plugged into all the time. Sometimes you're on stage doing it, sometimes you're at home playing here on this piano [pointing at a Yamaha grand piano in the corner of the room], or sometimes you'd be in the studio or sometimes you might even be at Boisdale doing it!" he once said in conversation with Boisdale founder Ranald Macdonald.

As Patron of Music since 2011, Jools presents the very best in jazz, blues and soul and rock'n'roll. He has hosted and been centre stage of many sensational events at Boisdale, plenty of which have seen big-name stars including Melanie C, Courtney Pine, Shala Arna, Horace Andy, Gabrielle, KT Tunstall and Scouting For Girls grace the stage. Though unbeknown to some, his particular passion is boogie woogie piano and that love for the style formed the basis for the spectacular annual Boogie Woogie Dinner at Boisdale Canary Wharf, which he programmes and hosts, which celebrates the classic jazz music of the era by some of the biggest names in the business.

He first learnt boogie woogie when he was eight or nine, when he heard his Uncle David on the piano.
"I went to my grandmother's one day and heard him playing this and I thought 'what is this?' It's so fantastic; you had the left hand contrasting with the right all at once and all the rhythms in it... it really was as if the chaos of the universe became ordered at that moment and I thought this is just the best thing I have ever heard. It made you want to jump around and dance," he recalled.

Today that joyful passion well and truly shines on the Bois dale stage, where the usual magic of the finest British produce, exquisite drinks and impeccable service all combine with up close and personal performances from global recording artists to create a heady concoction of a wondrous night of live music.
You can see Jools in action when he hosts September's Boisdale Music Awards 2022, which sees a cross section of genre-defining performances. When you get there, we can toast the exciting future of our highly dedicated and beloved Patron of Music.

WHAT'S ON
Discover what's going on across our famous venues
Brit Funk Association
Canary Wharf
24 July 2026
Featuring key members from iconic bands like Light of the World, Hi-Tension, and Beggar & Co, this collective of legends delivers the sound of Brit Funk from the late 70s and 80s.
The Neo Soul Sessions
Canary Wharf
5 August 2026
The Neo Soul Sessions bring the rich sound of a genre that reshaped contemporary soul to Boisdale of Canary Wharf. Expect songs associated with D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott and Maxwell, performed by exceptional musicians in a night of deep grooves, warmth and soulful expression.
SouLutions
Canary Wharf
7 August 2026
SouLutions, the Newcastle modern soul band fronted by Louise Mehan, headline Boisdale Canary Wharf with a decade of UK soul chart singles and four studio albums behind them. A full live band with soul standards alongside their own songs.
Light of the World
Canary Wharf
14 August 2026
Light of the World, the London band who built the foundations of British jazz-funk in 1978, return to Boisdale Canary Wharf. An eight-piece live band led by Gee Bello and Mel Gaynor plays London Town, I Shot the Sheriff, Time, Pete's Crusade and tracks from their 2020 UK Soul Chart number one album Jazz Funk Power across two sets.
Arrested Development
Canary Wharf
27 August 2026
Grammy-winning hip-hop pioneers Arrested Development return with the anthems “Mr. Wendal”, “People Everyday” and “Tennessee”. Fusing soulful grooves, live instrumentation and uplifting rhymes, their legendary sound lights up Boisdale of Canary Wharf for an intimate night of timeless hip-hop.
The Best of Hot Chocolate: with former lead singer Kennie Simon
Canary Wharf
28 August 2026
Kennie Simon didn't audition for Hot Chocolate. He got one phone call to cover Errol Brown in Düsseldorf, and sixteen years later he was still the frontman. At Boisdale Canary Wharf he plays the songs the way they were built: You Sexy Thing, Every 1's a Winner, Emma. Dinner, drinks, real disco-funk pedigree.

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Coming up at Boisdale
Discover what's going on across our famous venues
Brit Funk Association
Canary Wharf
24 July 2026
The Neo Soul Sessions
Canary Wharf
5 August 2026
SouLutions
Canary Wharf
7 August 2026
Light of the World
Canary Wharf
14 August 2026
Arrested Development
Canary Wharf
27 August 2026
The Best of Hot Chocolate: with former lead singer Kennie Simon
Canary Wharf
28 August 2026

Membership
The Boisdale Club exists to generally encourage the enjoyment of life with a specific focus on delicious wine, Cuban cigars, Scottish malt whisky, live music and interaction between its members.
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