John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Michael Brecker, Johnny Griffin, Eddie Harris, Joe Henderson, Ronnie Laws, Bill Evans (piano), Billy Cobham, Bob Berg, Oliver Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Bonobo, Bootsy, Brad Mehldau, Branford Marsalis, Brecker Brothers, Brothers Johnson, "Cannonball" Adderley, Chaka Khan, Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, Chris Potter, Claus Ogerman, Coleman Hawkins, Combination Head, David Sanborn, Djivan Gasparyan, Don Grolnick, Donald Fagen, Donny Hathaway, Duke Ellington, Earth Wind & Fire, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Elvin Jones, Ennio Morricone, Eric Serra, Erik Satie, Frank Zappa, Frou Frou, George Duke, Hal Galper, Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Imogen Heap, J.S. Bach, Jaco Pastorius, James Brown, James Taylor, Jan Garbarek, The Jazz Twit, Jimi Hendrix, Joey Calderazzo, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Kenny Garrett, Luciano Pavarotti, Lyle Mays, Maceo Parker, Marcus Miller, Mark "Blakkat" Bell, Marvin Gaye, Maurice Ravel, Ray Harryhausen, Gerry Anderson, The Mighty Boosh erm...I'll try and think of some more etc.
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 Daily Star newspaper) and Images (winners of the Lancashire Evening Post Rock & Pop Challenge 1982). Happy days!
In 1986 began Ian’s 23-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, including the Mick Hucknall album "Tribute to Bobby" celebrating the music of Bobby "Blue" Bland.
Ian has also worked on projects with fellow band mates Gota Yashiki, Heitor Pereira and Tim Kellett (Olive) along with other artists including Mark “Blakkat” Bell, The Jazz Twit & Shaboom, DJ Sneak, Hanson, Onionz (East River Rituals feat. Candido Camero), Alisha’s Attic, Will Young, Candi Staten, K-Class, Freemasons, (including remixes for Kylie Minogue and Blaze), Tom Jones, Thomas Dolby (Live), Basia, K.D. Lang (Concert of Hope '93) and Girls Aloud (TV 2008). More recently, Ian has co-written songs with Mick for the Home, Simplified and Stay albums.
Ian plays tenor, alto, soprano and baritone saxophones, the EWI (Electric Wind Instrument) and keyboards.
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Hi Ian, the truth after so many years of following your path thought I would have no contact .. Thanks friend you always see in the videos we have here at home and I am surprised with your saxophone solos that are very intense and full of surprises in between the jumps of bass and treble. I was amazed when you play the solo in the song with soprano Enough .. Thank you for your contribution in music and it seems almost a dream to be in touch with you .. Thanks for your words friend and .. god bless Beto M.
Hello Ian I have followed the truth musical trajectory from the disk simply red picture book and I find it very fascinating .. I was in chile for the Festival of Viña del Mar and was as close as I could be in the band and was a show of luxury. My name is Beto Medina and I'm from Peru saxophonist and musician career high school teacher and the truth thank you very much for so many years of good music that your playing the saxophone has served influence on me. Thanks and hope to stay in touch ..! GOD BLESS YOU.
Hi Ian!! Thanks for the wonderful wishes, my birthday's been pretty awesome!!! Amazing friends, boyfriend, and family. Feeling beyond loved! Thanks for taking the time to add to the stream!
