Ian Kirkham

Biography

Ian Kirkham (born 9 March 1963, in Liverpool, Lancashire) is an English saxophonist, best known for his playing with Simply Red. Kirkham was born in Liverpool and grew up in Preston. He started learning piano at the age of five, and saxophone at eleven. He played saxophone with the British soul and pop band Simply Red from 1986 until the band retired in 2010. He reprised his role in the band when it reformed in 2015, and played on their 2019 album, Blue Eyed Soul. He is the second longest running member of the band, behind founder and lead vocalist Mick Hucknall.

Known For

MTV Video Music Awards

Sacrée soirée

Classic Albums

TFI Unplugged

Simply Red: Cuba! (Recorded Live At El Gran Teatro, Havana)

Simply Red: Farewell

Simply Red - Live At The O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

Simply Red – Live in Santiago de Chile

All Movies (6)

• Simply Red – Live in Santiago de Chile2025 · as Saxophone, EWI, Keyboards
• Simply Red - Live At The O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire2023
• Simple Red: Viva Chile2012 · as Saxophone, EWI, Keyboards
• Simply Red: Farewell2011 · as Teclados e Sax
• Simply Red: Cuba! (Recorded Live At El Gran Teatro, Havana)2006 · as Saxophone
• SIMPLY RED: For The Last Time— · as Saxofone

All TV Shows (4)

• TFI Unplugged2026 · as Self (Archive Footage)
• Classic Albums1997 · as Self
• Sacrée soirée1987 · as Self - Simply Red
• MTV Video Music Awards1984 · as Self