It would be great to have Bach in one corner, Bessie Smith in another, John Lennon in another. That’s what I’d ideally like. A studio of the dead. Jools Holland Read Quote
I like to think of myself as Prince Charles’s friend. He’s a great fellow. There are always people trying to knock him, but The Prince’s Trust is one of the biggest supporters of young people in Britain. Jools Holland Read Quote
As a bandleader, I try to pass on the same family values that I grew up with: help people, hang on to your sense of humour, be tolerant, and keep your judgments to yourself. Jools Holland Read Quote
The piano has disappeared from working-class family life, which is a shame. It’s associated with the middle classes now. Everyone in my family sang and played piano, but my parents were delighted and amazed when I became the first professional performer in the family – apart from a clog-dancer way back. Jools Holland Read Quote
At 11, I went to live with my maternal nan and granddad temporarily, after my parents separated, and Nan would let me have a go on her piano. My grandparents were like something out of the Noel Coward play, ‘This Happy Breed,’ and it was magical to hear them sing music-hall songs. Jools Holland Read Quote
Some acts are tricky. Eartha Kitt was tricky in a wonderful, old-style way. She did yoga on the piano and put her hands over her ears when the other acts were on. Jools Holland Read Quote
The X Factor’ seems to be more about building up personalities and people in tears. And it’s not a new idea. The pre-Beatles pop world was full of manufactured pop stars. The thing is that you can’t imagine any of the artists you look back at and admire ever going on ‘The X Factor.’ Jools Holland Read Quote
I’ve met the Queen a couple of times, and she’s been delightful. In fact, I often find myself thinking: ‘What would the Queen do in this situation? Write a thank-you note? Yes, I’ll do that.’ She’s all about courtesy. Jools Holland Read Quote
Whenever I go on holiday, I like to time travel and imagine what it must have been like 500 years ago. I love the Tuscan landscape, which is reminiscent of a Claude Lorrain painting. Jools Holland Read Quote
Due to my work, I tend to stay in hotels a lot of the time, and I generally prefer smaller hotels, as you tend to get better service than in the larger hotels. Jools Holland Read Quote
