Sir Tom Jones. What a legend… 

Welsh music icon Tom Jones was all lined up to play in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, but had to understandably cancel after the death of his wife of 59 years Melina in April.

Well, almost a year later, the king of Sixties-sing-along will fly to Dubai to open the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival.

Fifty years into his career, the now 76-year-old Welshman is renowned for his continuing vocal power, his bold baritone and his easy charisma on stage, which is where he’ll stand at the Dubai Media City Ampitheatre on Wednesday February 22.

Happy with this news? Here’s a tune to clap along to in delight.

The Voice UK coach will undoubtedly run through his mega hits on the night, including It’s Not Unusual, Kiss, Delilah, What’s New Pussycat, Green, Green Grass of Home, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again and If I Only Knew. 

We’re also – unusually – looking forward to his newer stuff, including this pathos-filled tear jerker:

And here’s another goodie from his 2015 album Long Lost Suitcase: 

Who will be joining the Welshman on the Dubai Jazz Fest stage? Needs-no-introduction diva Mariah Carey will play on Thursday February 23 and Latin sensation Enrique Iglesias will take to the stage on Friday February 24.

In the meantime let us leave you with this utterly joyful medley:

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.ae, and early bird prices are Dhs445 for Golden Circle and Dhs275 for regular. Meanwhile, standard prices are Dhs325 for regular, Dhs525 for golden circle, Dhs795 for fan pit and Dhs1,295 for VIP deck.

Media City Ampitheatre, February 22 to February 24. For more info see website.

Some of our favourite ever Tom Jones quotes…

ON THE FACT THAT HE LIVES IN THE US BUT WILL ALWAYS BE WELSH: “If I really wanted to become an American citizen I would have done it a long time ago. I’m British and I have a British passport and if I can remain that way, that’s the way I like it.” Western Mail 

ON ANOTHER WELSH LEGEND’S RELATIONSHIP TO HIS MUSIC: “One of my biggest compliments that I had was when Catherine Zeta Jones was giving birth to her first child, she had to have What’s New Pussycat, on the radio. As soon as she started, she said put Tom on and I’ll push.” The Voice

ON HIS WORKING CLASS ROOTS: “I think it’s good that I had some experience of the real world before I became successful. You know, having to get up in the morning and going to work in construction.”

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