About Us

About Us
Based in the South of England, Woodwind and Brass Ltd comes from a three-generation history of traditional music retailers. Over the years we have fostered a highly principled, effective work ethic, particularly with regard to education - "spreading the word" to players, and prospective players, in schools, bands, orchestras and the private sector.<br><br>

We would like to welcome you all on-board and look forward to continuing relations with our existing customers and building new relationships with prospective ones over many years to come.

Terms & Conditions

Martin Walker ALCM

Martin was born into a family of musicians.Granddad Walker worked as a pianist/organist in theatres and cinemas for silent movies - he lost the position when "talkies" replaced silent movies - a fact he never really got over. It was due to this - his attempt to find something different to occupy himself - that he developed a not inconsiderable wanderlust, and during his European travels discovered that most magnificent instrument - The Accordion. His fascination with the handheld bellows-driven free reed aerophone (or squeeze box) led to him joining Madam Courtney at an accordion teaching school in Portsmouth. And so it was that "Courtney`s for Accordions" became "Courtney & Walker". Granddad Walker went on to became an examiner for accordion and spent the rest of his life happily consumed by his passion for all things wind driven and musical.
His son (Martin's Father) Jeff Walker took over the family business. Unlike his Father, his musical passion lay with the world of percussion, and so throughout most of his retail working life he also worked in the evening as a drummer and percussionist. And like her Mother-in-law before her, Mrs Anna Walker became something of a "pub gig widow". She never held this against him though, and set about the business of rearing her four children, youngest of which was the constant ne'er-do-well - Martin…
Martin studied piano from the age of 10 and took the traditional route of piano lessons with a spinster called Miss Flemming. This wasn't an entirely happy experience because he never practiced and was frequently chastised by his diligent teacher.

Despite this, his natural ebullience and obvious talent meant that he enjoyed a varied range of styles from an early age.
This led to his involvement with various equally disreputable rock, pop and jazz bands.He went on to study Performance Arts at Trent Park, Middlesex University, studying piano and classical guitar. Whilst there he also attained ALCM in piano performance as an external pupil.
After leaving college he worked with his father for 15 years, developing a great deal of knowledge in the area of brass and woodwind, which has become his passion. He has travelled abroad with bands and been highly active locally, appearing on the radio and in his local hostelry. He currently plays in a small modular Jazz band - playing piano and often doubling on acoustic bass (on keyboard). The band "the Jazz Channel", consists of up to five players - instruments include trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, flute, flugelhorn and drums. He has always enjoyed live music and to that end sees no need for backing tapes during performances. Martin left the family business in 2003 to concentrate on his passion for Woodwind & Brass and develop this area for many years to come. He is also a full time father bringing up 3 beautiful girls.
Martin Walker is an optimist, a really friendly guy, and very nice to talk to on the phone. Give him a ring.

Hat Grunstein

Hat was born into a family of doctors.

From the age of 7 she studied piano, clarinet and recorder and was frequently chastised by her teachers for not practising. Despite this she attained two grade 6s and a grade 8 at an early age.

An enjoyment of all things "crafty" led her into woodwind and brass repair 5 years ago, after meeting ex-ragamuffin Martin Walker. She has studied at Merton College and is able to perform a number of essential repairs on woodwind and brass instruments ensuring fitness for despatch, quality control and attention to detail.

Please view Testimonials and also Delivery on our web site.

She is several years younger than Martin Walker and occupies a position of less importance than him in the company, and so is afforded considerably less space on the website.

Something of a pessimist, she is also very friendly and nice to talk to on the phone.

Read what our customers think

Rupert Noble and Douglas McBain - Woodwind Repairers
Rupert Noble and Douglas McBain - Woodwind Repairers

Rupert Noble (pictured) trained for five years as a woodwind and brass instrument repair and renovation specialist studying under seven well known repairers. Leeds College of Music 1982-84 Newark woodwind College 1984-1987. In 1990 Rupert established Toot-Sweet Woodwind and Brass specialist workshop in Nottingham - winning the Princes trust business of the year award in 1993. He has subsequently taught over forty advanced repair students from all over the world. He now freelances through the Country undertaking between 20-30 repairs every week.
	Mostly working for professional players famous clients have included Courtney Pine, Simply Red, Beautiful south and Loose Tubes, Incognito, Us3 Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Guildhall and Royal Northern Teachers. Rupert's knowledge of renovation and instruments extends throughout the whole range of families of woodwind and brass and he is highly noted for his abilities with vintage and early as well as modern instruments. He has exceptional experience in the renovation of specialist saxophones such as Selmer, Conn Buecher and Yanagisawa. His knowledge also extends to double reed professional instruments, oboes, bassoons and cor anglais.
Over the last 5 years Rupert has taken on Doug McBain as a special pupil who he has tutored closely every day. Doug now undertakes specialist vintage saxophone repairs, as well as more contemporary saxophones, clarinets and flutes. He is an excellent repairer, highly praised by his clientele. Both he and Rupert work from their own workshop,as well as from the premises of Woodwind & Brass Ltd, and are always on hand for advice and support.

Customer Comments

Peter Yetman - Brass Repair Specialist
Pete Yetman - Brass Repairer

	Peter Yetman is a full member of NAMIR (National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers) and a brass repair specialist. He was with the Royal Marines for 41 years, playing Cornet in the band and trumpet in the orchestra. He moved to Portsmouth in 1995/96. He was trained by the Royal Marines and in 1996 he was placed in charge of the Royal Marines brass workshop and has been a full time brass instrument repairer since then.

Communication
We value all our customers and aim to satisfy their orders as quickly and efficiently as possible. We realise that one of the best ways to do this is through efficiency of service: stock, quality, price, reliability, speed, integrity and guarantee. We attempt to accomplish all of this through our sales service (pre and post) and realise the importance of communication. We aim to be open and transparent in all our customer correspondance and management.

We endeavour to answer and amend all queries and complaints as quickly and efficiently as possible.

If you have any suggestions or complaints to make to the company please email us at martin@woodwindandbrass.co.uk

Customer Comments

Sourcing of New Products
Our stock primarily consists of woodwind and brass instruments and accessories including mouthpieces, reeds, stands, gig bags, cases and care and maintenance materials. We are an innovative company bringing you new concepts in products from all around the world - we are continually sourcing new products from the USA, China and Europe, and our direct supply-route allows us to provide the best products at the most competitive prices.

Customer Comments

Woodwind & Brass Ltd Rocks

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Can't see what you're looking for? Call 023 9235 2227, we can obtain most makes and models