Page 38 - Real Rochdale Issue 10 Summer 2021

Ian Jenkins
Forty Years of Making Music
A lifetime of playing music has been the fulfilment
of a dream for 64-year-old local professional
entertainer Ian Jenkins.
Born into a family of musicians, Ian began playing
cornet at the age of five and played in brass bands
from the age of nine until he was 24.
Along with playing brass, Ian, whose family lived in
Harpurhey when he was born but moved to
Middleton when he was four, also taught himself to
play piano.
As a keyboard player and vocalist, Ian has played in
many bands, gracing the stage with some
well-known stars along his musical journey.
Having taken his A-levels, including music, Ian left
school and started work in the gas showroom in
REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2021 38
booked as a support act for stars such as Russell A phone call out of the blue from Kevin Parrott, one
Watson, Edwin Starr, The Real Thing, and in 1995
half of music duo Brian and Michael, best known for
supported Jules Holland and his Rhythm and Blues
their 1978 UK number one hit single ‘Matchstalk
Orchestra. Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs’, led to Ian
becoming the keyboard player in their backing
When Souled as Seen disbanded in 1999, Ian took band, playing gigs alongside famous names such as
time out from playing with bands before joining a The Hollies, Swinging Blue Jeans, Easy Beats and
functions/cabaret outfit called ‘Snapshot’. As well Gida Park.
as instrumentalists (drums, bass guitar, guitar and
keyboard), all four band members also sang, and Ian Ian said: “It was a privilege to play with guys who
fondly remembers their “great harmonies.” had had a number one hit, and I only left because
I was so busy with my own work as a professional
Having worked the club scene throughout the entertainer”. Having left his job at the hospice in
North West, the band parted when one of the four 2011, Ian had begun playing keyboard and singing
secured a job with world-famous guitar makers, as a solo artist, and found himself being booked for
‘Martin’, in America. between six and 10 gigs a week to entertain in care
homes and dementia cafés.
Finding himself at a musical loose end, Ian
answered an advert and formed a band, called ‘The Things changed dramatically in early 2020: when
Woos’, with other local musicians, playing the coronavirus pandemic hit, Ian’s gigs dried up.
contemporary pop and rock covers in mainly local
pubs, followed by a stint in another pub/functions During that period with no gigs, Ian began
band called ‘Ask Anyone’. working part-time as a Co-op member pioneer
helping local not-for-profit groups with funding and
Alongside his musical career, Ian will be known to awareness raising through the Co-op.
some in Rochdale for his work as fundraising
manager for Springhill Hospice between 2001 He also had a chance conversation with
and 2011. Malcolm Journeaux, whom he had known for
almost 20 years but had not been in touch with for
He has also spent a couple of years working as an a decade, which led to him joining local recording
extra in the TV and film industry. This has included band, ‘Sable 097’.
work on soaps such as Coronation Street and
Emmerdale and one particular highlight, described In May this year, Ian’s bookings started again, he
by Ian as “great fun” was being an extra in the Harry explained: “Having had both doses of vaccine, and
testing twice a week, I am delighted to once again
Potter spin-off film ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To
Find Them’.
be enjoying entertaining ‘the young at heart’.”
Middleton, but in his words, “working was
only ever a means of funding my passion for After Rain Comes Sun is the first Sable 097 song to feature Ian on
playing music”.
keyboard and vocals, after joining the band in November 2020. The song,
written by Malcolm Journeaux and Ian, is a blues/jazz influenced number.
Following working at the gas showroom, Ian took
a position at Chase Music on Oldham Street in
Manchester, demonstrating and selling keyboards. Music producer Duncan Rigby reviewed the song and had this to say: “On
first hearing, this song triggered deep wide emotions; for me this is one of
In 1978 he started a rock band, called ‘Idol Fret’, those songs which is on top of the game, all the parts make the whole.
with friends, playing the local pub and club scene, The track is cinematic in the visions it manifested for me: throwing a
a highlight being a gig at the Apollo in Manchester. dinner jacket over my shoulder, undoing the bow tie whilst walking out of
Though the band parted in 1982, the members the casino/club into the rain, and then walking on to the dawn of a new day
remain friends and are still in touch to this day. with a wry smile on my face.
After a short stint as keyboard player in a funk rock “So the scene is set on your ears and then the two counterpoints emerge, one is the sultry saxophone,
band called ‘Red on Black’, Ian joined a ten-piece slightly jazz, dancing the melody and then... the vocal draws you in - I haven’t heard that perfect tone or
soul band, ‘Souled as Seen’. As well as being regulars phrasing for a long time, it’s done so naturally and eloquently on this track with an essence of the very
on stage at The Carlton on George Street in young ‘Piano Man’, not a tribute act copy that is ‘like’, but the ‘same as’ and now.”
Rochdale town centre, ‘Souled as Seen’ were
39 REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2021