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Pride In Medway 2009 - Jools Holland

Medway boogie-woogie maestro Jools Holland has added a touch of celebrity to the list of Pride in Medway nominees this year.

The musician and TV presenter, who lives in Cooling, near Rochester, has been put forward for an outstanding achievement award.

Jools shot to fame as a keyboard player with Squeeze and has worked with iconic artists including Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Sting, B.B. King, Luther Vandross and Paul Weller.

Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra play to audiences in excess of 500,000 each year.

The ivory-tinkler, who was made an OBE in 2003, has become synonymous with the annual Rochester Castle Concerts and is one of the most popular acts at the event.

In 2007, he composed a mass for a Rochester Cathedral concert to raise funds for the cathedral's £10 million campaign.

He is also a patron of the Medway charity Hands & Gillingham Volunteer Bureau.

Jools was nominated for Pride in Medway by Madeline McMachan, of Stirling Close, Rainham. She said: "I nominated Jools Holland because of how his music has put Medway on the map. He is a big name in the music world and he has attracted thousands of people to Rochester with his appearances at the Castle Concerts.

"He is well known in the local community and we should be proud he has chosen Medway as his home."

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