Ian Royle - A Pen Portrait

Ian had an ideal start in music: his dad played trumpet in a dance band and was soon teaching him the rudiments. He quickly progressed to a Brass Band where his ensemble playing techniques were developed and at the age of 12 he was appearing regularly, on 3rd trumpet, alongside his dad in the Sid Lewis 16-piece Big Band at Stockport. (When the interval came he had to catch the bus home as, very wisely, he was not allowed to stay to the end!). On arriving at his local Grammar school he found there an embryo jazz band in existence, despite the music masters efforts to discourage such a development. Naturally, Ian joined and began to explore another area - small group jazz - during lunch-times. Shortly afterwards he was involved with a small dance band which played regular gigs.

All this continued throughout his teenage years but, perhaps surprisingly, he did not become a professional musician until he was 28 years old, even though he had combined his full-time job with a very demanding schedule of evening and weekend playing. He became a well-known face and a highly-respected figure, especially in the Blackpool area appearing with the Charlie Barlow Orchestra at the Tower Ballroom where he was lead trumpet for 5 years and then with the Winter Gardens Orchestra, still on lead trumpet, where he has been for the last 23 years. In addition, he has played "jazz chair" with Syd Lawrence, the Millionaires Orchestra, the New Squadronaires and the Northern Radio Orchestra. He has broadcast regularly and is featured on no less than eight CDs.

Ian also relishes the opportunity to play in a small group setting and was a key member of John Brown's Bodies (a BBC session band) and the Chicago Hoods (a backing band for the American singer. Marilyn Middleton Pollock). He is in demand at numerous Jazz Festivals and has made appearances at Stafford, Upton. Bude, Wigan, Wirral and, this year, at Southport where he plays mainly as a freelance soloist. Having guested brilliantly with the Pendle .Jazzmen when playing in the South Manchester area we are thrilled and delighted that such a gifted and experienced player has agreed to join us at The Whitchaff - Colin Mason