It is a strange path that has led Jools Holland to being a household name.

Joining new-wave pop band Squeeze aged only 15 and presenting Eighties music show The Tube were the first two major steps.

Most important, perhaps, is BBC2's Later... series, still going strong after ten years.

But underpinning everything is his ability as a pianist (coupled to a mildly eccentric personality). A major reason for the success of Later... is Jools' ability to accompany his guests and his obvious passion for a vast range of musical styles.

His television success, in turn, means he can tour the country with an 18-piece rhythm-and-blues band, playing prestigious gigs such as the official Millennium Eve celebrations and filling the Royal Albert Hall every Christmas - unimaginable for another boogie-woogie pianist in the 21st Century.

Seeing him at the Brighton Centre, one can understand his success.

Musically, there was something for everyone, from jazz standards such as Alright, Okay, You Win and Honeysuckle Rose, to all-out rock 'n' roll such as Great Balls Of Fire.

For me, the highlight of the evening was Albert Ammons' Suitcase, a solo piano tribute to the father of boogie-woogie piano.

In this stripped-down setting, Holland was revealed to be an absolutely first-rate pianist.