IAN CLEVERDON - 1962 - 2026

It is with great sadness that I wish to inform you of the passing of Ian Cleverdon at Queenscourt Hospice, in Southport, on 18th March 2026.

Ian was a very talented and much-loved person, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist; songwriter; band member; solo artist; record producer; sound engineer; concert promoter; podcaster; charity fundraiser it’s hard to know where to begin!

Ian was born in Southport on 20th August 1962 and taught himself the guitar, throughout his formative teenage years, by playing along to his sister, Syl’s, record collection of Fairport Convention, Lindisfarne and the Incredible String Band. Ian then progressed to the mandolin, cello-mandolin and a variety of weird and wonderful stringed instruments; his own musical style and production was later influenced by his own favourite musician, Mike Oldfield.

After several solo and collaboration projects throughout the 1980s and 1990s Ian co-founded Southport folk rock band, Odd@Ease. Between 1998 and 2008 Odd@Ease released two albums and also a charity EP, featuring Phil Beer of Show Of Hands, which raised money for a special educational needs school in Southport.

Odd@Ease garnered many favourable reviews from both the local and national music press and played at many folk festivals and events throughout the UK. In 2008 the band went on a ‘long term sabbatical’ due to Ian’s work demands (yes, Ian managed to fit in a ‘proper’ job too) in banking which meant travelling all over the country.

In-between Ian’s banking work he formed folk duo The Huers with Phil Caffrey; the duo became promoters for Bose Sound Systems playing at UK Guitar Shows. The Huers’ live work wasn’t as intensive as his previous band, but they managed to release several albums, two of which are available on Spotify.

Ian’s solo work is also available on Spotify; this is ambient music and soundtrack work showing the breadth and depth of Ian’s musical and production abilities.

Ian was in demand as a sound engineer and produced many studio and live albums for local and national artists: Ashley Hutchings and Katie Spencer to name but two. Ian’s love of live music also led to him forming his own promotion company, Karona Sessions, putting concerts on for many national acoustic roots and folk artists including Boo Hewerdine; Charlie Dore and Julian Littman; Reg Meuross; Blair Dunlop and Steve Tilston.

Ian’s last musical venture was to form a duo, Umlaut, with his wife Zoe, please check out their excellent videos on YouTube. Their last performance was at The Bothy Folk Club in Southport on 22nd February 2026.

Ian was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May 2025 and despite losing the use of his left side, following a major operation to remove part of the tumour, Ian taught himself how to play the keyboard with one hand and was continuing his live performances with Zoe.

Sadly, the tumour returned and Ian peacefully passed away, surrounded by family and friends, on 18th March 2026.

Ian is missed by all who loved and knew him, an exceptionally talented, lovely and kind man man who was positive right to the end.