BOOGIE woogie piano player Jools Holland will return to York Barbican for the fourth year running this autumn.

The jovial presenter of BBC2’s Later… With Jools Holland will lead his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra on November 7, joined for the York show by special guest singer Marc Almond, the Soft Cell and Marc & The Mambas frontman.

Almond had been due to perform with Holland at his brace of Barbican gigs in November 2012, but was forced to pull out of the tour because of health issues, being replaced by Hull-born Fine Young Cannibals singer Roland Gift.

Blues singer Ruby Turner, soul singer Louise Marshall and original Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis will be in Holland’s line-up this November on a tour that will showcase his new album, set for release in the autumn.

Holland and his band also are the first big-name music act to confirm an appearance at Harrogate International Centre – on November 22 – following the announcement that major live shows will resume in its main auditorium.

Live music and entertainment halted in the 2,000-seat auditorium in 2012, after the box office had already closed in April 2011, when programming and booking switched to Harrogate Theatre.

Harrogate International Centre director Simon Kent has been keen to see the auditorium return as a venue for major live acts. “The time has now come to expand and return the conference centre’s main auditorium to its place as a venue for spectacular live shows,” he says.

“We’re pleased that Jools Holland is the first big name to announce a return and we welcome him back.”

Ticket sales for shows at Harrogate International Centre will be handled by the box office at Harrogate Theatre.

“The addition of HIC’s main auditorium to Harrogate’s live music scene, along with the Royal Hall, Harrogate Theatre, the international festival and the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, means the town is now punching well above its weight in terms of live shows and performances,” said Kent.

Kevin Jamieson, Harrogate Theatre’s executive producer, adds: “Having a venue as large as Harrogate International Centre back up and running really does make the town a one-stop-shop.”

• Tickets for York are on sale on 0844 854 2757 and online at yorkbarbican.co.uk Alternatively, they can bought in person from the Barbican box office, open Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm. Tickets for Holland in Harrogate can be booked on 01423 502116 or at harrogatetheatre.co.uk