Interview with Jools Holland

Tell us about your time on The Piano

‘‘It’s been great fun joining The Piano as a guest mentor. There’s a real honesty to it — people simply sit down and play, and hopefully that’s when the music really comes into its own. You get to hear them properly, and that’s always a pleasure. No piece is the same in different pianists’ hands.

I loved the variety of players as well — different styles, different backgrounds, all bringing something of themselves to the instrument. You hear touches of everything in there, and that’s what keeps it interesting. It reminds me of how broad and personal music can be.

For me, it’s been a real treat to spend time with them, to listen, and hopefully offer a bit of encouragement along the way. There’s a great spirit to the whole thing — a genuine enjoyment of playing — and it’s been a pleasure to be part of that.’’