Singer Ruby Turner is nothing if not busy. She has a summer packed with gigs, both solo and as rousing voice of Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Her upcoming shows include Dartford’s Orchard Theatre (May 4), Hampton Court Palace Festival (June 10) and Kew the Music (July 15) with Jools and Hampton Pool’s Summer Picnic Concerts on July 29 with her own band.

She told us: “I feel like the luckiest person alive because I am still going out doing shows year-in, year-out and they get better and better.

“The most important thing is people are coming to see me still and wanting to know about my music and having a really nice time. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.

“It’s not about me, really, it’s about a collective. I’m still doing it, people are still appreciating it and there you go.”

Read more: 

Over the course of her career, the Birmingham-based songstress has had success as a solo artist – her 1990 single It’s Gonna Be Alright achieved the rare feat for a British artist of topping the US R&B charts – acting on the West End stage, as well as working with the likes of Bryan Ferry and Mick Jagger and writing songs for the likes of Lulu, Yazz and Maxi Priest.

But it is her long association with Jools that Ruby is perhaps best known for. The pair met more than 22 years ago and have collaborated ever since, even releasing a 22-track album Jools and Ruby in December.

Ruby said there is one thing that keeps them working together: “The love. The love of the music, the love of the man, the friendship we have.

“The album that we put out in December – 22 years of recording with him – celebrated that fact. “You can’t be more humbled and more grateful.

“At the end of the day you can say ‘what have you been doing all your life?’ I’ve been working. I haven’t been slacking, have I? I’ve been working.”

And with a busy career behind her, Ruby still gives it everything in her live shows.

She said: “I get in there and I go – 0 to 60mph, mate, I just go. I’m like a vintage car, I easy up nicely then I find a nice gradient and I’m off!”

Ruby Turner and her Band play Hampton Pool’s Summer Picnic Concerts Series, on the same bill as Nik Kershaw, on July 29. Go to hamptonpool.co.uk

She joins Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra for shows at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, on May 4, Hampton Court Palace Festival on June 10 and Kew the Music on July 15. Go to orchardtheatre.co.uk, hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com or kewthemusic.org

Like our What's On page on Facebook for entertainment news, interviews, reviews and features from across south London.