MUSICAL master of ceremonies and boogie-woogie legend Jools Holland has announced a new tour with his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, with Soft Cell frontman Marc Almond as a special guest!

Tickets are on sale from today - Friday February 2 - from 10am.

If that wasn't exciting enough, another of his special guests include the British soul singer Ruby Turner.

In a music career spanning more than 30 years, Ruby has released many albums and singles in Europe and North America and is a sought after backing vocalist, for artists such as Bryan Ferry, UB40, Steel Pulse, Steve Winwood, Jools Holland, and Mick Jagger. She has also written songs that have been covered by artists including Lulu, Yazz and Maxi Priest.

She has sang on BBC Television's Jools' Annual Hootenanny, from 2007 to 2017 inclusive.

Marc has sold over 30 million records worldwide across his 36-year career, with his list of hit songs including Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, Touch and, of course, Tainted Love. Marc has also collaborated with the likes of Gene Pitney, Tony Visconti and Burt Bacharach, as well as Jools who Marc previously toured with in 2014. He was awarded an OBE this year for his services to arts and culture.

Also performing with Jools on this tour will be singer Louise Marshall, a big voiced vocalist with The BBC Big Band, singing Ella Fitzgerald or Aretha Franklin’s American Songbook, or a plethora of big names including Beverley Knight, David Gilmour, Michael Ball, Marti Pellow, Chris Difford, Robbie Williams, Bryan Ferry, Ronnie Wood, Van Morrison, Sam Brown, Steve Winwood, Paul Young to name but a few.

Original Squeeze member Gilson Lavis will also be on drums with the Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

With a collection of Jools compositions and boogie-woogie classics to choose from, Jools’ annual UK tour is set to be an unforgettable night out that will delight both Jools and Marc Almond fans and have audiences on their feet!

Tickets are priced from £45 and £33.50.

Visit southendtheatres.org.uk for booking and further information or call the box office on 01702 351135.

The Cliffs Pavilion is in Station Road, Southend.