by Paul Crothers

CELEBRATIONS to mark the 25th anniversary of Castle Howard’s picnic concerts got off to a swinging start on Friday night thanks to legendary showman Jools Holland and his rhythm and blues orchestra.

The threat of rain failed to deter an audience of around 3,000 from covering the gentle slopes between the famous house and its lake.

Musical proceedings began with a 30 minute session from blues guitarist Mark Flanagan, including ‘Carry me down’ and ‘Strange Plants’, to get everyone in the mood.

Once Jools and the full orchestra took to the stage and opened with a medley of big band boogie-woogie numbers, the atmosphere noticeably shifted up a gear and the small area in front of the stage soon filled with people dancing and singing, caught up in the infectious enthusiasm of Jools Holland and every member of his orchestra.

York Press:

Above and below: Crowds on Friday night

York Press:

The fact that such sound and energy can be produced by just 16 musicians and a handful of singers is remarkable and doubtless one of the reasons why the big band sound of Jools Holland and his rhythm and blues orchestra continues to be so popular.

As is customary, the rhythm and blues orchestra accompanied special guests who tonight were Marc Almond and Ruby Turner, as well as their own vocalists Mabel Ray and Louise Marshall.

An encore of ‘Enjoy yourself (it’s later than you think)’, I’ll be seeing you (in all the old familiar places)’ and ‘I hear music’ ensured that almost everyone was on their feet singing and dancing for the finale.

‘Well alright, okay (you win, I’m in love with you)’, made famous by Count Basie and then Peggy Lee, was the last song of the night and preceded the traditional fireworks display.