YOUNG bluesman Toby Lee will be taking to the stage of Plymouth Pavilions on December 13 as he joins music luminaries Jools Holland and Marc Almond as special guest when Jools’ Rhythm and Blues Orchestra pulls in as part of their 2024 winter tour.

Still just 19-years-old, Toby Lee is already a three-time winner of Young Blues Artist of the Year at the UK Blues Awards - yet the virtuoso guitarist is only getting started.

Praised as a remarkable talent by the likes of Mr Holland and Joe Bonamassa, this year has represented a big breakthrough year for Toby as he released his new album House On Fire back in October

The album is Toby’s first set of all-original material and follows his 2021 debut Aquarius which spent two weeks at number one on the UK Jazz & Blues Album Chart.

“I’m so excited about the release my first original album and I’m super proud of the end result, said Toby.

“It’s taken a while to be comfortable with songwriting but everything clicked on this album and the songs just flowed one after the other. I wanted an album that was positive and relevant to my age - blues rock with a hint of soul and I think we achieved that.”

The first taste of the record comes with the single House On Fire. It’s inspired by Toby’s blues heartland, which will surely again be embraced by genre devotees and connoisseurs.

But as is befitting for a young man with the world at his fingertips, House On Fire also shines with the kind of optimistic, sun-kissed summer spirit that will appeal to new fans who perhaps previously would’ve thought that the blues wasn’t for them.

“House On Fire is the title track and is very special to me - I guess it’s a coming-of-age song really. Finding yourself and finding someone that changes your life. We love playing it as a band but it’s also one of the songs I play on tour with Jools Holland. Hearing the song backed by his incredible Rhythm and Blues Orchestra takes the song to another level.”

Toby’s talents have been recognised by an array of legends. When he was ten, a get well soon video that he made for BB King went viral, leading to an invitation from the blues legend’s family to play at his club in Memphis, while the late Bernie Marsden was an early mentor and champion.

He subsequently shared the stage with the likes of Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, Slash, Billy Gibbons and Peter Frampton, while enjoying other high profile moments, such as starring in a West End production of School of Rock and performing with McFly on Tonight at the London Palladium

Tickets for the gig can be be booked at https://plymouthpavilions.com.