Available to book from £240 (GBP). For an accurate quote please make an enquiry.
Based in Warwickshire, Jools is a professional violinist with over 30 years of experience. His career includes international performances in Dubai, national festival tours, and prolific session work. His recordings have contributed to multiple albums reaching the Top 20 of the UK Americana, Indie, and Folk charts, including a session for the Warner Chappell label.
His professional background includes national television appearances on The X Factor with Susan Boyle and The Gadget Show. He has collaborated with musicians such as Horace Panter (The Specials) and has been featured on BBC Radio 3. Recently, he toured the UK as a featured multi-instrumentalist for the ‘Summer in Nashville’ festival circuit, performing to audiences of up to 12,000 at major venues and the Cropredy Festival.
As a solo artist, Jools provides a high-quality musical backdrop for weddings, funerals, corporate events, and private functions. He maintains a repertoire of over 400 tracks, allowing for a versatile service that covers traditional classical masterpieces, contemporary pop and rock covers, smooth jazz, and traditional folk. He also provides tailored performances within the care sector, maintaining regular bookings at care homes and Memory Cafés specifically for those living with dementia.
Logistically, Jools is fully self-contained, providing a professional, compact PA system with a minimal visual footprint, suitable for historic or intimate venues. For larger events, he is equipped to integrate into house sound systems. He offers the choice of a purely acoustic performance or an amplified violin accompanied by high-quality backing tracks.
= areas covered (up to 125 miles)
= free travel (up to 15 miles)
Pop tunes
A-Ha - Take on Me
Abba - Dancing Queen
Abba - Mamma Mia
Abba - Slipping Through My Fingers
Bryan Adams - Everything I Do (I do it for you)
Bryan Adams - Heaven
Bryan Adams - Summer of '69
Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Adele - Make you feel my love
Adele - Chasing Pavements
Louis Armstrong - Wonderful World
James Arthur - Say You Won't Let Go
Back Street Boys - I Want It That Way
Beatles - Hey Jude
Beatles - Let it Be
Bee Gees - How Deep is your Love?
Beyoncé - Crazy in Love
Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling
Blink 182 - All the Small Things
Vanessa Carlton - 1000 Miles
Mary Chapin Carpenter - Grow Old With Me
Eva Cassidy - Autumn Leaves
Daniel Cesar ft H.E.R. - Best Part
Tracey Chapman - Fast Car
Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight
Kelly Clarkson - Mr Know it all
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What doesn't kill you)
Clean Bandit - Rather Be
Joe Cocker - You Are So Beautiful
Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah
Coldplay - A Sky full of Stars
Coldplay - Magic
Coldplay - Paradise
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Coldplay - Yellow
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight
Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
Celine Dion - All By Myself
Celine Dion - My Heart Will Go On
Celine Dion - The Prayer
Fats Domino - Blueberry Hill
Eagles - Desperado
Zac Efron - Can I Have This Dance
Billie Eilish - Bad Guy
Billie Eilish - Birds Of A Feather
Extreme - More Than Words
George Ezra - Budapest
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams
Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way
Dan Fogelberg - Longer
Foster the People - Pumped up Kicks
Fugees - Killing Me Softly
fun - We Are Young
Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
Lukas Graham - 7 Years
Green Day - 21 Guns
Green Day - Boulevade of Broken Dreams
Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up
Guns 'n' Roses - Sweet Child 'o Mine
Bill Haley and the Comets - Rock Around the Clock
Heart - Alone
Audrey Hepburn - Moon River
Hillsong United - Oceans
Whitney Houston - Saving All My Love For You
Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Whitney Houston - How Will I Know
INXS - Never Tear Us Apart
Jessie J - Domino
Billy Joel - Uptown Girl
Elton John - Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Elton John - Your Song
Elton John - Rocket Man
Elton John - Your Song
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Gary Jules - Mad World
Cyndy Lauper - Time After Time
John Legend - All of Me
John Legend - Ordinary People
The Lumineers - Ho Hey
Keane - Somewhere only we know
Madonna - Material Girl
Mamas and the Papas - California Dreaming
Bob Marley - 3 Little Birds
Bob Marley - Redemption Song
Maroon 5 - Payphone
Bruno Mars - Grenade
Bruno Mars - Just the way you are (Amazing)
Bruno Mars - Marry You
Bruno Mars - When I Was Your Man
Ricky Martin - Livin' La Vida Loca
Brian McKnight - Back At One
Meatloaf - I'd Do Anything For Love
Bill Medley/Jennifer Warnes - I've Had the Time Of My Life
Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
Kylie Minogue - Can't Get you out my Head
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
Van Morrison - Moondance
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Nazareth - Love Hurts
Neon Trees - Animal
Nirvana - Smells like teen spirit
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares To You
One Direction - Live While We're Young
Owl City - Good Time
Christina Perri - A Thousand Years
Christina Perri - Jar of Hearts
Katy Perry - Firework
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
Katy Perry - Wide Awake
Philip Phillips - Home
Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah
Police - Every Breath You Take
Elvis Presley - Can't Help Falling in Love
Elvis Presley - Are You Lonesome Tonight?
Elvis Presley - Love Me Tender
Elvis Presley - Always On My Mind
Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade of Pale
Queen - Somebody to Love
Radiohead - Creep
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge
Lou Reed - Perfect Day
Lana del Rey - Young and Beautiful
Lionel Richie - All Night Long
Rihanna - Umbrella
Ruelle - I Get To Love You
Jennifer Rush - The Power of Love
Callum Scott - You Are the Reason
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home
Ed Sheeran - Perfect
Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
Ed Sheeran - The A Team
Ed Sheeran - Photograph
Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge over Troubled Water
Frank Sinatra - My Way
Frank Sinatra - Fly Me To The Moon
Sleeping at Last - Turning Page
Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves a Woman
Sam Smith - Stay With Me
Sam Smith - How Will I Know
Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
Britney Spears - Baby One More Time
Bruce Springsteen - Dancing in the Dark
Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA
Cat Stevens - Morning Has Broken
Sting - Fields of Gold
Taylor Swift - Blank Space
Taylor Swift - Back to December
Taylor Swift - Cardigan
Taylor Swift - Enchanted
Taylor Swift - Love Story
Taylor Swift - Lover
Taylor Swift - Red
Taylor Swift - Shake it Off
Taylor Swift - Willow
Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling
Toto - Africa
Train - Hey, Soul Sister
U2 - With Or Without You
The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony
Andy Williams - Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Pharrell Williams - Happy
Robbie Williams - Angels
Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
Bill Withers - Lean On Me
Stevie Wonder - Superstition
Stevie Wonder - I just called to say I love you
Yiruma - River Flows In You
Jazz tunes...
Andre & Schwandt - Dream a Little Dream of Me
Louis Armstrong - What a wonderful World
Irving Berlin - Cheek to Cheek
Irving Berlin - Let's Face the Music and Dance
Irving Berlin - Putting on the Ritz
Acker Bilk - Stranger on the Shore
Ella Fitzgerald - My Funny Valentine
Arthur Hamilton - Cry Me A River
Harbach & Kern - Smoke gets in your eyes
Audrey Hepburn - Moon River
Billie Holiday - All of Me
Etta James - At Last
Scott Joplin - The Entertainer
Joseph Kosma - Autumn Leaves
Vera Lynn - The White Cliffs of Dover
Vera Lynn -We'll Meet Again
Vera Lynn - A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Cole Porter - Anything Goes
Cole Porter - Every Time We Say Goodbye
Cole Porter - I Get A Kick Out Of You
Cole Porter - Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)
Cole Porter - Night And Day
Nina Simone - Feelin' Good
Frank Sinatra - Fly me to the moon
Frank Sinatra - My Way
Christmas Songs
Let it Snow (Dean Martin)
Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)
Have Yourself a Merry Christmas (Judy Garland)
Merry Christmas Everyone (Shakin' Stevens)
Santa Claus is Coming To Town (Jackson 5)
Film/TV music
Bratja (Brothers) - (from Full Metal Alchemist)
Can You Feel The Love Tonight - (from The Lion King)
Can't Help Falling in Love - (from Blue Hawaii)
Come Alive (from The Greatest Showman)
Concerning Hobbits - (from Lord of the Rings- Fellowship of the Ring)
Evenstar - (from Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers)
Evermore (from Beauty and the Beast)
For The Love Of A Princess - (from Braveheart)
Forth Eorlingas - (from Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers)
From Now On (from The Greatest Showman)
Gollum's Song - (from Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers)
Guren-No-Yumiya (Attack on Titan)
Happy - (from Despicable Me 2)
In Dreams - (from Lord of the Rings- Fellowship of the Ring)
Interstellar (from Interstellar)
Into The West - (from Lord of the Rings - Return Of The King)
Lava (from Lava)
Megalovania - (from Undertale)
A Million Dreams (from The Greatest Showman)
Many Meetings - (from Lord of the Rings- Fellowship of the Ring)
Minas Tirith - (from Lord of the Rings - Return Of The King)
My Heart Will Go On - (from Titanic)
Never Enough (from The Greatest Showman)
Now We Are Free (from Gladiator)
The Other Side (from The Greatest Showman)
Over the Rainbow (from The Wizard of Oz)
Rewrite the Stars (the Greatest Showman)
Rohan - (from Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers)
Schindler's List (from Schindler's List)
Steward of Gondor - (from Lord of the Rings - Return Of The King)
Swordland to be Continued (Sword Art online)
The Black Rider - (from Lord of the Rings- Fellowship of the Ring)
The Greatest Show (from The Greatest Showman)
The Prophecy (from Lord of the Rings- Fellowship of the Ring)
This Is Me (from the Greatest Showman)
Theme from Jurassic Park
Tightrope (from The Greatest Showman)
Toss A Coin To Your Witcher - (from The Witcher)
You'll Never Walk Alone (from Carosel)
Classical
Anonymous - Polonaise in G Minor (from Notebook for Anna Magdelena Bach)
Anonymous - Musette (from Notebook for Anna Magdelena Bach)
Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Bach - Adagio (from Oboe Concerto in F minor)
Bach - Air (from Orchestral Suite No3)
Bach - Bist du Bei Mir - (from Notebook for Anna Magdelena Bach)
Bach - Bourrée in E minor (from Lute Suite in E minor)
Bach - Invention #4
Bach - Invention #14
Bach - Minuet in D Major (from Notebook for Anna Magdelena Bach)
Bach - Sheep May Safely Graze (from Cantata 208)
Bach - Siciliano (from Flute Sonata in E flat Major)
Bach - Sleepers Awake (Wachet Auf)
Bach - Unaccompanied Cello Suites I, II, III, IV, V, VI
Beethoven - Allegretto Theme (from Symphony #7)
Beethoven - Zwölf Variationen aus der Oper Figaro's Hochzeit von Mozart
Beethoven - Ode To Joy
Boccherini - Minuet
Andrea Bochelli and Sarah Brightman - Con Ti Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye)
Dvorak - Humoresque
Edward Elgar - Salut D'Amour
Gabriel Fauré - Berceuse
C.W.Gluck - Melodie
Gounod - Ave Maria
Handel - Air (from the Water Music)
Handel - Largo (from Xerxes)
Handel - Sarabande (from Suite XI)
Mackay - Hebridean Lullaby
Mascagni - Intermezzo
Massenet - Meditation from Thaïs
Mendelssohn - O, For The Wings Of A Dove
Mendelssohn - Song Without Words #17
Mendelssohn - Wedding March (from A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Mendelssohn - Spring Song
Mozart - Theme from Piano Concerto #21
Mozart - Sonate KV301
Mozart - Sonate KV304
Pachebel - Canon in D
Hubert Parry - Jerusalem
Christian Petzold - Minuet in G Major (from Notebook for Anna Magdelena Bach)
Christian Petzold - Minuet in G Minor (from Notebook for Anna Magdelena Bach)
Puccini - Nessun Dorma
Rubinstein - Romance
Rubinstein - Thou'rt Like A Flower
Rubinstein - Melody in F
Saint-Saens - The Swan
Erik Satie - Gymnopedie
Schubert - Ave Maria
Schubert - Entr'acte (from Rosamunde)
Schumann - Träumerei
Tartini - Cantabile
Tchaikovsky - Waltz of the Flowers
F.P.Tosti - Beauty's Eyes
Trad - Greensleeves
Vaughan-Williams - The Lark Ascending
Henry Vieuxtemps - Reverie
Vivaldi - Violin Concerto #6 in Gmin Op4
Vivaldi - Winter (from the Four Seasons)
Richard Wagner - Bridal Chorus
Yanshinov - Spinnerleid
Christian:
Amazing Grace
Behold Our God
Blessed Assurance
Blessed Be Your Name
Come Praise and Glorify
Come Thou Font
Cornerstone (My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less)
Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
How deep The Father's Love For Us
How Great Thou Art
I'll Walk With God
Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear)
Psalm 23 (The Lord is my Shepherd)
Asian/Bollywood tunes…..
Khabi Khabi
Maula mere maula
Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage
Bluegrass/Folk Tunes......
A Place in the Heart
Acorn Hill Breakdown
American Hornpipe
American Rifle Team Hornpipe
And the Cat Came Back
Arkansas Traveller
Art Wooten's Hornpipe
Balkan Hornpipe
Ball and Pin Hornpipe
Banish Misfortune
The Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)
Beautiful Suwanee River Hornpipe
Betty Liken
Big Mon
Big Sciotta
Bill Cheatum
Bill Malley's Barndance
Bill's Dream
Bitter Creek Hoedown
Black Jack Grove
Blackberry Blossom
Blackbird
Blake's March
Blue Eagle
Blue Fiddler
Blue Ridge Reel
Bluewater Hornpipe (President Garfield's Hornpipe)
Boatsman
Bonaparte Crossing the Alps
Bonnie Kate Reel
Boyne Hunt Reel
Boys of Blue Hill
The Butterfly
Cairo Waltz
Camp Meeting on the 4th July
Campbell's Farewell to Red Gap
Captain Kelley's Reel
Charleston 1 & 2
Cherokee Shuffle
Cheyanne
Cowboy Waltz
Damon's Winder
Ducks on the Pond
Earl's Breakdown
Faded Love
Flogging Reel
Foxie Mary Reel
Jimmy in the Swamp
Julia Delaney/Leavin' Rosine
Last Night's Fun
Lost John
Long Cold Winter
Millennium Waltz
Miss Johnstone's Reel
Miss McDonald's Reel
The Mountain House
Mountain Reel
Nail That Catfish to a Tree
Off to California
Old Bell Cow
Old French
Pan Handle Rag
Pan Handle Swing
Parnell's Reel
The Primrose Lass
Rakish Highlander
River Waltz
Trafalgar Hornpipe
Turkey Buzzard
Twin Katy's Reel
Waltz for Sarah
Westphalia Waltz
Wheel Hoss
To ensure the best possible performance, I simply require access to a standard, adjacent power socket and a flat performance area. If your event is outdoors, I ask for a shaded or sheltered space to protect the instruments and electrical equipment from direct sunlight or damp conditions. I am fully self-contained and designed to be as low-maintenance as possible for the organiser.
I aim to make my arrival and set-up as discreet as possible. To assist with this, it is helpful to know about the available parking and loading access, as well as the earliest time I can access the performance space. Additionally, I like to confirm whether the venue prefers me to use my own compact PA system or if they would like me to integrate into an existing in-house sound system.
I provide all necessary high-specification sound equipment. I travel with a professional, compact PA system specifically chosen for its small visual footprint; this ensures a rich, full sound that complements, rather than distracts from, the aesthetics of historic venues or art exhibitions. While I do not provide specialist stage lighting, my setup is neat and professional, ensuring it blends seamlessly into your event's decor. For larger-scale events, I am also fully equipped to integrate directly into a venue’s house system.
I am more than happy to provide a curated playlist of background music from my own library to maintain the atmosphere during my breaks or while guests are arriving. If you have a specific genre in mind, please let me know in advance so I can ensure the playlist is perfectly tailored to your requirements. Alternatively, I am happy for you to connect your own device (phone or tablet) to my PA system during these times. Please note that this service is intended to complement my live performance sets and does not extend to a full DJ service after my live music has concluded.
The 2025 'Summer in Nashville' festival tour, performing for crowds of 12,000, was a significant career highlight. Other notable experiences include performing at the Royal Albert Hall and a live BBC Radio 3 concert at the RSC’s 'The Other Place' for Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary. For intimate events, Wollaton Hall (Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises) remains a favourite venue, where I recently provided the music for a solo wedding proposal.
While I enjoy the scale of festival stages, I value the precision required for weddings and private events. A career highlight was performing at Royal Ascot, which required learning an entirely new repertoire on short notice with a new ensemble. I apply that same ability to perform under pressure and adapt to specific musical requirements to every ceremony and reception I play.
I have over 30 years of professional experience in the music industry. Having been classically trained from age six, I spent twenty years as a session guitarist before returning to the violin over two decades ago. At that stage, I undertook professional retraining to ensure my technique met the highest standards.
Since 2014, my focus has been entirely on full-time professional performance, ranging from international band work in Dubai to a self-contained solo service. This transition was a deliberate move towards a more streamlined, efficient setup. My background combines a formal classical foundation with the adaptability gained from decades in the live music scene, including appearances on The X Factor and BBC Radio 3.
My influences are broad, reflecting a professional background in rock, metal, and contemporary folk. My violin style has been shaped by artists such as Seth Lakeman and Andrew Bird, though I primarily listen to music from a technical perspective—dissecting arrangements to understand how they function. This analytical approach allows me to adapt to almost any genre, from classical repertoire to modern indie. Rather than having a single 'favourite' song, I value the craftsmanship behind a wide variety of styles, which helps me help clients choose music that fits the specific requirements of their event.
I bring a festival-grade level of professionalism and reliability to every event. My 2025 schedule included playing main stages for crowds of up to 12,000 and performing internationally in Dubai. This extensive experience ensures that my technical setup is flawless, my performance is polished, and I can handle the pressure of your most important day with absolute confidence.
My entire setup is designed for discretion. I utilise a compact PA system chosen specifically for its 'small footprint,' ensuring it delivers a rich sound without dominating the space. Crucially, I am also fully equipped to integrate directly into any in-house sound system, allowing the music to be expansive while the equipment remains virtually invisible.
I am a multi-instrumentalist, not just a violinist. I perform on both violin and guitar for current bands (including the Shania Twain tribute) and act as a multi-instrumental dep, proving deep versatility. My session credentials include joint songwriting and musician contributions on an album released by the Warner Chappell record label, and features on recordings that have achieved a Top 20 position in the UK Americana/Folk charts.
I am fully self-contained with a compact PA system that allows for a discreet setup within 45 minutes. I aim to be sound-checked 30 minutes before guests arrive.
Performance sets are flexible to the requirements of the event, typically consisting of 2 x 45-minute or 2 x 60-minute sets. I am happy to adjust these timings to suit the schedule. If the event moves between locations—such as from a ceremony room to a drinks reception—my equipment is designed for rapid relocation to ensure a continuous musical backdrop.
I am happy to perform outdoors provided there is a flat, stable surface and adequate shade to protect the violin and electrical equipment from heat damage.
As delicate instruments and portable PA systems cannot be exposed to rain, an indoor 'Plan B' or suitable waterproof cover must be available. This ensures the performance can relocate immediately if the weather changes. I am fully self-contained but require access to a standard power supply within the performance area.
Clients are welcome to select any number of tracks from my repertoire of over 400 songs, which covers classical, pop, jazz, and folk. Included in the fee, I am happy to learn one special request not currently on my list. Should you require a second specific song, this can be discussed.
To maintain professional standards, my only requirement for new requests is the availability of a high-quality backing track. This ensures the performance remains consistent with the rest of the set and meets the acoustic requirements of the venue.
Previous clients and industry peers most frequently highlight my reliability, technical versatility, and professional conduct. I have a reputation for being 'unflappable' when faced with high-pressure requirements or last-minute changes. For example, I have been called upon to lead the orchestra for a George Michael tribute at Peterborough Cathedral with only a few hours' notice to learn the repertoire, and performed in the orchestra for Susan Boyle on The X Factor with 24 hours' notice.
In a wedding and private event context, clients note my ability to adapt to the specific flow of the day, whether that involves providing a traditional classical backdrop for a ceremony or performing contemporary arrangements for a reception. My professional peers describe my playing as technically precise and my approach as attentive and communicative. Feedback consistently focuses on my ability to integrate into an event and deliver a high-quality performance under pressure.
Warner Chappell Music (Studio session and songwriting contributions)
BBC Radio 3
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)
Age UK Warwickshire (Specialist Memory Café performances)
Summer in Nashville UK Tour (Featured multi-instrumentalist)
Talkback Thames / The X Factor (Orchestral session work)
Warner Hotels
Ministry of Defence (MOD Lyneham)
Black Country Radio
Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra
Specialist Care Groups: Including MHA, HC-One, and various independent homes throughout Coventry and Warwickshire.
International & Iconic Landmarks
Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai
Wollaton Hall, Nottingham (Notable as the ‘Wayne Manor’ filming location for the Batman trilogy)
Royal Albert Hall, London
The RSC: The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon (BBC Radio 3 Broadcast)
Historic Stately Homes, Castles & Luxury Hotels
Warner Hotels: Heythrop Park (Chipping Norton) and Gunton Hall (Lowestoft)
The Belfry Hotel & Resort (Sutton Coldfield & Solihull)
Coombe Abbey, Coventry
Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel, Birmingham
Mallory Court Country House
Yeldersley Hall, Ashbourne
Compton Verney, Warwick
Powderham Castle, Exeter
Norton Fields, Atherstone
Leatherhead Registry Office
Bibis Italia Restaurant, Leeds
Major Festivals & Arenas (National Tour)
Summer in Nashville (SIN) Tour: Including Aberdeen (Hazelhead Park), Dundee (Camperdown Park), Southampton (Guildhall Square), and Chichester (Westgate Fields).
Cropredy Festival
Rock ‘n’ Ribs Festival
Monster Country Festival: Uttoxeter Racecourse and Bath & West Showground
Tunes in the Park: Port Eliot Gardens, Saltash
Wedding
Private Event
Corporate Event
Hotel / Restaurant Event
Funeral / Memorial
Wedding Proposal
Recording Session
Classical
Film / TV
Folk
Bluegrass
Jazz
Pop
Covers
Rock
PAT tested
Instrumental
Public liability insurance
PA / sound system included
Uses backing tracks
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