The Return of Ian Christie

Frozen North Tour 2002!

by Patricia O'Beirne

Celebrated clarinettist Ian Christie was born and grew up in Blackpool. He lived initially in Warwick Road, then Lomond Avenue, off Preston New Road attending Devonshire Road School and Palatine Central.

His love of jazz developed through listening to the wireless, visiting The now defunct Rhythm Club near Queen's Square and via his father, who was a piano tuner and played banjo with The Blackpool Banjo band.

Hearing the clarinet being played at The Palace Ballroom one evening, by a gentleman in a red jacket, he thought, "That's for me!" So he took clarinet lessons, backstage, from Charlie Farrell, bandleader at The Winter Gardens 

After leaving the Air Force he began a photography course at the Art College in Blackpool. His brother Keith, in the meantime, was playing with Humphrey Lyttelton in London and so in 1949 Ian interrupted his photography course and moved down to join his brother, with Humph, playing clarinet. Humph very generously paid for Ian to complete his course in London. A qualification Ian has put to good use in his journalistic career running alongside his jazz. 

He was film critic of The Daily Express for some 25 years also contributing a variety of articles to the paper

Ian and Keith stayed with Humph for two years and then left to form their own band, The Christie Brothers Stompers, resident at The 100 Club on Oxford Street in London. 

Ian was also touring with Mick Mulligan's Band and George Melly between 1954 and1962 and during this period he was both recording and broadcasting prolifically.

Keith died in 1980. Ian continues to play and appeared on Sunday afternoon, 3rd November 2002, with The Wyre Levee Stompers at The North Euston Hotel Fleetwood. His rare visit North takes in playing with The Merseysippi and Parade Jazz bands and The Tony Davis Band. Tony, of Jazz FM, being the initiator of Ian's return to home ground.

Patricia O'Beirne

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