Music maestro Jools Holland held the crowd in the palm of his hand as he headed up his talented Rhythm and Blues Orchestra through a foot-tapping, hand clapping concert as part of the Outside Live series.

Eastern Daily Press: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead.Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead. (Image: John Newstead)

Jools kicked off the first of a hat-trick of music concerts at Taverham Hall on Friday night, bringing a whole host of familiar faces including powerhouse soul singer Ruby Turner and former Squeeze bandmates Chris Difford and Gilson Lavis.

The concert began with an explosion of jazz as the troupe of talented musicians took to the stage and singer and pianist extraordinaire Jools performed Midnight Special – a song he often plays on his BBC2 New Year's show Jools' Annual Hootenanny.

Throughout the gig there was heavy rain and umbrellas formed a canopy above the crowd, but Jools' energy and charisma made sure concert-goers didn't go home disappointed.

The boogie-woogie king made light of the situation and began a group sing-along to Rain Rain Go Away and Singin' in the Rain and even took a selfie with the crowd.

Eastern Daily Press: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead.Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead. (Image: John Newstead)

The concert felt like the Sunday afternoon 'legends' slot at Glastonbury as he performed with his former Squeeze bandmates.

Gilson Lavis played drums throughout the gig and his stunning solo proved why he's still one of the best in the business.

But the standout moment of the concert was when Chris Difford took to the stage and performed the band's hit songs Cool for Cats and Pulling Mussels as umbrellas were thrown to the ground and fans young and old got up to dance.

As the concert drew to a close the heavens opened, but award-winning vocalist Ruby Turner was on hand to take the crowd to church with her rich tone and powerful voice which packs a punch of soul.

Eastern Daily Press: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead.Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead. (Image: John Newstead)

The only downside to the gig was the traffic control outside Taverham Hall as there were long queues coming from four directions but no marshals directing the cars. However, once we entered the venue we got through quickly with our tickets and there was plenty of room for our chairs and picnic.

Louisa Baldwin

Eastern Daily Press: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead.Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead.Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead.Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform at the Outside Live concert at Taverham Hall. Photo: John Newstead. (Image: John Newstead)