Ian Ritchie - Composer

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Ian joined his first band playing saxophone whilst at Liverpool University studying chemistry. The band happened to be Deaf School, the seminal Liverpool theatre rock group that included producer Clive Langer (Madness) as a guitarist and Ian Broudie (Lightning seeds) as a roadie. The band toured extensively in the UK, Europe and USA as well as making three albums and numerous singles. Following Deaf School's break up Ian moved to London and was active as a session musician, playing sax on records by Wham, David Sylvian, The Beach Boys, Robbie Nevil, Dee C. Lee, Ash and Aswad among many others. He later formed his own electronic "New Romantic" duo Miro Miroe. This lead to studio work as an arranger/programmer with producers Steve Levine, Zeus Held, Godley and Creme, Colin Thurston and Tim Palmer.

In the late Eighties Ian moved into record production himself, working with Roger Waters on "Radio Kaos", Laurie Anderson on "Strange Angels", Pete Wylie on "Sinful" as well as albums with Hugh Cornwell, Soho, Three O Clock and The Big Dish. The Nineties saw Ian concentrating on composing, with themes and incidental music for the "Lonely Planet" and "Globetrekker" series as well as one off documentaries including "Supertwins" and "The Real James Bond Gadgets" featuring Roger Moore. During 2006-2008 Ian toured the World with Roger Waters playing saxophone, EWi and bass on Dark Side of the Moon and other Pink Floyd hits. His own group Ian Ritchie's SOHO Project is active on the London jazz scene, as well as the European festival circuit. They are soon to release their second album "South Of Houston".  Deaf School have reformed and followed up London gigs at the 100 club and the Garage with a triumphant weeks residency at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre. On his days off Ian performs with the amazing cabaret diva Holly Penfield and Charlie Spencer's  "Zoobes".