"Warren Shadd"
A Man of Music
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa: Warren, where are you from?
Warren: I grew up in Washington, DC. We have our Headquarters here. We also manufacture in the Bronx, New York.
Warren: I grew up in Washington, DC. We have our Headquarters here. We also manufacture in the Bronx, New York.
Howard University
Copa: What schools have you attended?
Warren: I'm definitely a DC kid. I attended McKinley and Gonzaga for High School and Howard University. I majored in Music, Jazz Studies and Composition.
Warren: I'm definitely a DC kid. I attended McKinley and Gonzaga for High School and Howard University. I majored in Music, Jazz Studies and Composition.
Copa: Who was your favorite Professor?
Warren: Fred Irby, Director of Howard University Jazz Ensemble. We had a great band at that time. Even today he will tell you that was his favorite band. They were a great group of musicians who are Jazz icons that were part of that band at the time. There is a possibility of us reforming the group as an Alumni Band this Summer with the DC Jazz Festival; we'll see how that works out.
Warren: Fred Irby, Director of Howard University Jazz Ensemble. We had a great band at that time. Even today he will tell you that was his favorite band. They were a great group of musicians who are Jazz icons that were part of that band at the time. There is a possibility of us reforming the group as an Alumni Band this Summer with the DC Jazz Festival; we'll see how that works out.
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Copa: At what time did you decide to get into the business of manufacturing pianos?
Warren: My father was a piano technician and had a rebuilding business. They would rebuild pianos from the ground up. I was exposed to this all of the time. As a hobby I would tear down and rebuild pianos to the point that they would be ready to be sold. From a very young age, around nine years old, I treated pianos as if they were model cars. I was very serious and meticulous about it. Also, I would experiment with sounds by changing parts from one piano to the other, retrofitting to acquire something different. I would use this same technology later in life. 
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Copa: Would you say that the SHADD has a unique sound?
Warren: We have a standard sound, understanding what that standard sound is, we believe we make a richer sound that has a richer bass and temperament area. I must be clear to the last sound of the 88 keys so there are no dead notes on the piano or false beats as we call it. We just strive to make the best pianos in the world.
Warren: We have a standard sound, understanding what that standard sound is, we believe we make a richer sound that has a richer bass and temperament area. I must be clear to the last sound of the 88 keys so there are no dead notes on the piano or false beats as we call it. We just strive to make the best pianos in the world.
Copa: What was the catalyst that broke things open for SHADD?
Warren: Whether you are making a cake or arranging a plate of food, or painting a picture, when another pianist or someone else who is 'respectable' in the field sits down and experiences it and says, "This is phenomenal", then you know you really have something special. So that's what happened when certain pianists visited and played the pianos and stated that we had some great instruments and never had experienced anything like this before. These instruments should definitely be on the market and would be a game changer! When these sort of folks say these things, you know you have something special.
Warren: Whether you are making a cake or arranging a plate of food, or painting a picture, when another pianist or someone else who is 'respectable' in the field sits down and experiences it and says, "This is phenomenal", then you know you really have something special. So that's what happened when certain pianists visited and played the pianos and stated that we had some great instruments and never had experienced anything like this before. These instruments should definitely be on the market and would be a game changer! When these sort of folks say these things, you know you have something special.
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Copa: How did the SHADD piano become associated with the FOX hit series "Empire?"
Warren: Well, when "Empire" aired its first season, many people were asking why my pianos were not on the show. I told them that it was the first time I'd seen the show like them I and had no idea that the show was coming on. I was also surprised at the number of shots they had of pianos on the production. It was amazing to me. A thought entered my mind, "Hey this would be great for my brand." So I conducted the proper research to find the right people. They looked at my pianos and informed me that they had researched and viewed them on Youtube. They completely loved them asked me how soon could they be delivered to them on the set so they would be part of the show. Now we have six pianos on different sets of "Empire." |
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Copa: Would you like to name a few of the models that are on the "Empire" sets?
Warren: Sure, we have 5'10" baby grand, an upright, a 7' 2" semi-concert grand, and a 9' 3" concert grand.
Warren: Sure, we have 5'10" baby grand, an upright, a 7' 2" semi-concert grand, and a 9' 3" concert grand.
9' 3" Concert Grand
Alicia Keys
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Copa: Do you recall any of the stars of "Empire" who have played your wonderful pianos?
Warren: Of course, Terrence Howard, has played them on the show many times. Even after the filming, Terrence will continue to play and compose music; he is an avid music lover in real life. Alicia Keys has also played on the set. I have visited the set many times to make sure the pianos are ready in proper tune for the optimum performance in the show. Many times people will just walk in and say that the pianos are great and it's been the best thing that they have ever played. It's a great experience to see that. |
Terrence Howard
Cast of "Empire"
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Copa: What is your personal philosophy of the SHADD brand and what does it represent?
Warren: We are very meticulous in our building process, we're very picky all the way down to the felts and everything. So when you eyeball any one of the pianos it looks like money, a true high quality instrument. Playing the piano should be a great experience.
Warren: We are very meticulous in our building process, we're very picky all the way down to the felts and everything. So when you eyeball any one of the pianos it looks like money, a true high quality instrument. Playing the piano should be a great experience.
Copa: How long does it take to build a piano?
Warren: Depending on the model, it takes from 3 to 8 months to build a new piano. Our policy is to sell directly to the purchaser.
Warren: Depending on the model, it takes from 3 to 8 months to build a new piano. Our policy is to sell directly to the purchaser.
Copa: It sounds like you folks are taking orders for a custom made Italian sports car.
Warren: In this case it would be a Rolls Royce, they are our branding partner. In the Washington, DC metropolitan area, we have a baby grand in the showroom of Rolls Royce of Sterling.
Warren: In this case it would be a Rolls Royce, they are our branding partner. In the Washington, DC metropolitan area, we have a baby grand in the showroom of Rolls Royce of Sterling.
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Copa: Warren, please share the story about the Vatican Piano.
Warren: Let's see, this started a long time ago in 2003. We were putting all of the technology together, and a friend of mine was booking musical acts at the Vatican. He asked me if I had a piano ready to be played at Christmas time at a Vatican concert. At the time I did not but we kept that idea for the longest time. So when the next opportunity arose when the Vatican required a piano, we threw our name in the hat and out of many piano manufacturers in the world SHADD was chosen! So we built a customized 9'3" concert grand which has the Pope's seal on the inside grand top which was requested that makes it exquisite and very unique. We delivered successfully and our piano is so well received there that they have asked me to do other things there in terms of music and concerts. They really like us!
Warren: Let's see, this started a long time ago in 2003. We were putting all of the technology together, and a friend of mine was booking musical acts at the Vatican. He asked me if I had a piano ready to be played at Christmas time at a Vatican concert. At the time I did not but we kept that idea for the longest time. So when the next opportunity arose when the Vatican required a piano, we threw our name in the hat and out of many piano manufacturers in the world SHADD was chosen! So we built a customized 9'3" concert grand which has the Pope's seal on the inside grand top which was requested that makes it exquisite and very unique. We delivered successfully and our piano is so well received there that they have asked me to do other things there in terms of music and concerts. They really like us!
Warren with the Monks in the Vatican.
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Copa: What are some of the other spectacular places around the globe where your pianos have been shipped?
Warren: We are shipping them all over the world, China, Europe, Australia and Canada. We are very proud of what we have accomplished.
Warren: We are shipping them all over the world, China, Europe, Australia and Canada. We are very proud of what we have accomplished.
Copa: How does it feel to be the only Piano Manufacturer in the world who happens to be Black?
Warren: Well, it hasn't actually hit me yet, (chuckle) I'm just trying to make a great instrument. Who I am is who I am, I could be from Mars but I'm going to make the best piano. It doesn't matter to a certain extent. I do know what it means historically, but my from the beginning it has always been my goal to make a great instrument and see where it takes us. As I understand who I am, I also approach the musical instrument in that regard. You might ask, "How does that happen?" You see we have a certain richness in our musical history, you can't help the way you just pour everything into what you do in everyday life including manufacturing, designing and bringing conceptualization to the piano. Being a musician I have a great understanding of what musicians wish to hear. I'm not just a piano manufacturer, I'm not just someone who understands technology and nuts and bolts. Maybe some other manufacturers understand this only from an engineering concept or approach. SHADD comes with the 'soul built in.' The piano is very diversified. It's true to all genres of music. From Jazz, Pop, or Classical, our piano brings it to life.
Warren: Well, it hasn't actually hit me yet, (chuckle) I'm just trying to make a great instrument. Who I am is who I am, I could be from Mars but I'm going to make the best piano. It doesn't matter to a certain extent. I do know what it means historically, but my from the beginning it has always been my goal to make a great instrument and see where it takes us. As I understand who I am, I also approach the musical instrument in that regard. You might ask, "How does that happen?" You see we have a certain richness in our musical history, you can't help the way you just pour everything into what you do in everyday life including manufacturing, designing and bringing conceptualization to the piano. Being a musician I have a great understanding of what musicians wish to hear. I'm not just a piano manufacturer, I'm not just someone who understands technology and nuts and bolts. Maybe some other manufacturers understand this only from an engineering concept or approach. SHADD comes with the 'soul built in.' The piano is very diversified. It's true to all genres of music. From Jazz, Pop, or Classical, our piano brings it to life.
Warren on the Drums
Copa: What does the future hold for SHADD and more specifically Warren Shadd musically?
Warren: Musically, I still play the drums sometimes; I love to play music, that's who I am. In terms of SHADD, we also build keyboards so look for our keyboards to debut in late Summer. Also in a humanitarian effort we are shipping our keyboards to some of the most impoverished areas of the world.
Warren: Musically, I still play the drums sometimes; I love to play music, that's who I am. In terms of SHADD, we also build keyboards so look for our keyboards to debut in late Summer. Also in a humanitarian effort we are shipping our keyboards to some of the most impoverished areas of the world.
For more information about SHADD Pianos: www.shaddpianos.com
~Copa
