My Background

From the age of 17 I became a professional musician playing saxophone, flute and clarinet ‘cutting my teeth’ on local gigs in the Manchester area. Very soon I found I was being invited to play on some of the better gigs such as consecutive summer sessions during the early 70’s in Blackpool with the Joe Loss Orchestra. Gradually over the next few years I started to build my reputation as a reliable player, which led me into recording and doing session work with the BBC staff orchestras, including The BBC Midland Orchestra and the BBC Radio Orchestra.

I moved to London in the 70’s and played in the West End Theatre scene, always wanting to move back to Manchester but London has always been the nucleus for music and musicians. On a weekend trip back to Manchester I saw one of my old teachers, Johnny Roadhouse. He told me that there could be a long stint of work with the BBC Northern Radio Orchestra who are based in Manchester. After playing a couple of sessions with them I was asked to stay and continue playing with them, eventually being offered a staff position.

The next 10 years were spent doing BBC work and because of the reputation playing in that orchestra gave me I was in demand for other gigs including touring with Jonny Mathis, Jack Jones, Gladys Knight and many other. I still played for the BBC but on a casual basis, which gave me time to play for other bands, one of which was The Sad Lawrence Orchestra where I stayed with this band for a number of years. Later moving on to play mainly in West End productions such as ‘Phantom Of The Opera’, ‘Cats’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Les Miserables’ which all came to Manchester for relatively long runs.

It was during this time that I started to get an interest in repairing my own instruments. I decided to venture into repairing the very instruments which I had played and loved. There are many young and old players out there who need a quality ‘hands on approach’ to woodwind maintenance, and despite a lack of professional work there are many amateurs enjoying playing music on those instruments. I thought a service provided by a musician who had played them to a high standard would be an asset.

Testimonials

  • As good as new

    Hi Steve, thank you for servicing my Gemeinhardt flute. I played it on Sunday and it seems very good. It looks as good as new, so bright and shiny.

    Paula Smith

  • Happy feedback

    Takumi solid silver professional flute service. I played my flute this afternoon, and it worked noticeably better than before the service. Thank you very much for doing a great job with it!

    Angelika Stephenson,

  • Extremely Experienced

    Steve Shaw is an extremely experienced flute maintainer and repairer, who is thorough in his work. Steve is never content with superficial work which simply removes the symptoms. Steve gets to the root of the problem, and cures it in a professional manner which results in lasting benefits. Steve's work is of extremely high quality, and is reasonably priced. Also, Steve does his utmost to accommodate the demanding concert and practice schedules of professional and amateur musicians alike. I have no hesitation in recommending Steve Shaw to professional and amateur flutists.

    Mark Vannerman, Conservatoire trained flute player.

  • Highest quality work

    I have known Steve Shaw for many years as a fine musician and an excellent repairer of woodwind instruments. He has always carried out the highest quality of work on my own instruments and those of my students. I have always found him to be efficient in business as well as being most knowledgeable in his field, and, along with many of my associates, I would have no hesitation in recommending Cheshire Woodwind's services.

    Gair Carson, Tutor in upper woodwind, Adelphi Campus, Salford University.

  • Quick and Efficient

    Steve has been my flute repairer for many years, and I send all my pupils to him. He is quick and efficient and really conscientious with his repairs. He is always available for emergency repairs and for complete overhauls; and I trust him to maintain all my instruments.

    Sarah Walker GRNCM PPRNCM, Flute teacher and professional player.

  • Excellent Workmanship

    I am a private and peripatetic music teacher. For some years now I have used Cheshire Woodwind for clarinet and saxophone repairs and overhauls and have always found the level of workmanship excellent and the price very reasonable. I have also recommended Cheshire Woodwind to friends who are equally delighted.

    Eileen M. Rigg LRAM

  • Fantastic Job

    I have used Steve Shaw many times for repairing both my students instruments as well as my own. He is reliable, efficient and friendly and always does a fantastic job! I can't recommend him highly enough.

    Sally Richardson, Professional oboist and teacher.

  • Fantastic Service

    A fantastic service every time. Steve's attention to detail is incredible - it is a rare find to be able to put the trust of a service and repair in someone who is an experienced and specialist woodwind instrumentalist.

    Callum Roxburgh, Saxophonist & jazz student at Birmingham Conservatoire.