Ian Kirkham was born March '63 in Liverpool, England and is the saxophonist and Musical Director with Simply Red.Growing up in Preston, Lancashire, Ian, encouraged by his parents, studied piano from the age of 5 and a half, switching to saxophone at age 11 while at Ashton-On-Ribble High School. He went on to play for the Lancashire Schools Big Band (LSBB) and many other local Big Bands, jazz ensembles and soul/funk groups, most notably local funkateers Spiral Axis (voted in the top 10 best jazz-funk acts in the UK by the Sun newspaper) and Images (winners of the Lancashire Evening Post Rock & Pop Challenge 1982). Happy days!In 1986 began Ian’s 22-year association with UK band Simply Red, playing on all but their debut album and performing with Mick and the band on every world tour since.Ian has also worked on projects with fellow band mates Gota Yashiki, Heitor Pereira and Tim Kellett (Olive) as well recording or touring with other artists including Mark “Blakkat†Bell, The Jazz Twit & Shaboom, DJ Sneak, Hanson, Onionz, Alisha’s Attic, Will Young, Candi Staten, K-Class, Freemasons, Steve Mac, Tom Jones, Thomas Dolby, Basia, K.D. Lang (Concert of Hope '93), Gary Christian, Heather Small and Japanese rock legend, Yazawa (Subway Express Tour '98). More recently, Ian has co-written songs with Mick for the Home, Simplified and Stay albums.Ian plays tenor, alto (occasional baritone) and soprano saxophones, the EWI (Electric Wind Instrument) and Keyboards and keeps threatening to do a solo album!!!.
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