Jools Holland brings all that jazz and blues to Dudelange

From Squeeze to the BBC to an R&B orchestra and most recently, to a collaboration with Rod Stewart, Jools Holland has long been a name in the jazz and blues scene, both within his native UK and all around the world. 

Accompanied by an incredibly talented ensemble including vocalists Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka, Ed Richardson on drums and Dave Swift on bass, it's hard to imagine a better setting than Dudelange's Opderschmelz to host this eclectic and rich range of excellence.

This music venue in Luxembourg has become an institution for intimate concerts, where world-class talent inspire and entertain in a familial, comfortable setting. Over the years, it has especially come to be known for jazz. 

"The space opened in 2007, so almost 20 years ago," said Cliff Schmit, Head of Communication at Opderschmelz, speaking to RTL Today before the show. "It was a good opportunity – in that year they celebrated 100 years of Dudelange, and it was also the year Luxembourg was named Europe's Capital de la Culture" he said. 

And what former directors Danielle Igniti and François Olivieri felt Luxembourg needed more of, they decided to create, pouring their personal love of jazz into the culture centre. "They thought that jazz wasn't offered all around, and that there wasn't such a big jazz scene in Luxembourg," Schmit explained, “so they started with that."

Today, jazz remains one of the venue's focuses, featuring in around 30% of its events. The other 70% consist of all sorts: pop, singer-songwriters, world music, blues, and more.

© Olli Kerschen

Playing to a sold-out audience on Tuesday evening, 11 March, Jools Holland appeared on stage and got right down to business. "Are you feeling good? Me too, nice chatting!" he announced, before launching right into his first boogie-woogie tune. 

The night was filled with stunning performances from his fellow musicians, a whole lot of love for and from the audience, and no shortage of jokes and banter. "This year we had a number 1 record with Rod Stewart!" he said. "Tonight here in this theatre," – the audience listened closely – "he hasn't been able to come!"

Delivering old classics such as Enjoy Yourself and Ain’t Misbehavin as well as new songs and those of his co-singers, the audience was kept engaged and entertained every step of the way. 

Introducing what he calls 'Baroque and Roll,' Holland also signed everyone present up for some mutual mischief: "Is it right, is it wrong?" he asked a delighted crowd. "In here we're all experimental people who couldn't care less..ish!"

Sharing how the blues are his favourite, and how he always feels better with it, he imparted some wisdom for everyone: "Let's have a bit more blues – what harm could it do?"

And one by one, members of the audience spontaneously got to their feet and began to dance. 

© Olli Kerschen

'Just the perfect size'

Already beloved by a more discerning and sophisticated audience, Schmit hopes to draw a new and younger crowd to Dudelange's culture centre. Meanwhile, the venue has become a favourite among artists. 

"Artists love to perform at our place because it's not small, but it's not a big venue – it's 400 to 600 people when not seated,” he said. "They love the personal relationships with our team, and the really, really nice acoustics."

Noel McCormack, a music fan from Dublin who has lived in Luxembourg for 44 years, was raving about the acoustics too as he left the concert hell – this is the second time he’s seen Jools Holland at this venue.

"We go to concerts a lot, all over, not just in Luxembourg," said McCormack, who identifies as a music fan of "everything but opera". "But we love going to the concerts here – this venue is fantastic. For someone like Jools, it's just the perfect size. It's been brilliant."