And when I say rain, I mean that soul drenching stuff. But someone saw that a covered picnic facility had power so we schlepped our stuff over there and crowded in around the built-in and unmovable picnic tables.
Jeff Miller, friend of mine and an even better sax player than I was there to take pictures. I like this one a lot because it also shows Suzy on alto sax. (She would be quick to point out that her hair really isn’t red. :o)
Suzy started playing sax about 18 months ago after playing clarinet all the way through high school. I expect she’ll be out playing me in no time at all as she takes 3 lessons a week for a total of 2 hours of study. And she practices up to ten hours a week in addition.
John Gess, another good friend of mine is shown in the corner. He played clarinet in high school and started on sax about four years ago. The lady next to me is Molly Thompson and then Matt Brown. Both are phenomenal sax players who can sight read just about anything. Matt shares his name with a semi-pro sax player. So there is easily some confusion there.
Seated to my right is Cam Davison, the bearded fellow. He normally plays alto sax too, but he had duties as the director this week as our normal director, Neil Proff, is in Oregon working on his Masters.
The Bis Key Chronicles 
I’m glad someone was there to take pictures. I look forward to seeing more of them.. So post some more pictures. :) (especially of those amazing trumpet players…)
Even with the rain and everything else, I think it went off really well. The band was lose, played tight and was having fun. Even better was that we had a good crowd, especially considering the weather. We almost cancelled. I’m glad we played. By 15 minutes into our show the weather cleared and people started showing up in the park.
One thing I like about both us and most our audience packing into the picnic shelter was the relative intimacy of the setting. People were right there, in our face. It was kinda cool.
I worried about being too loud, but it seemed to go okay. Supposedly there were to be a number of photographers there, but so far this is the only picture I’ve received. There will also be a professional photographer at the Ballard Locks gig on Saturday at 2 PM. I wonder what kind of crowd we’ll have then. :o)
I agree – it went pretty well. Luckily Leah was there to save my music when it threatened to blow off the stand at one point :). And the crowd was very appreciative and into the music, applauding after solos. It’s always good when the band and crowd are in synch.
whoops – empty profile. The below comment is mine :).
Luv the pic of you, vintage … maybe I better not say. ;o)
It’s from my Oregon Liquor Control Commission official ID card, in 1977. Back then you needed an OLCC photo ID card to get into bars or taverns or buy liquor. Maybe I’ll grow my beard out again… nah. Too gray!
These guys sounded really good, and they had a really appreciative audience as well. I just sent Gandalfe the other pictures, so expect more up here soon, I’m sure.
– Jeff (the photographer)
Looks like a totally fun time rain or not and the picture is fabulous. Would have loved to have heard you.
Gandalfe and Suzy,
Enjoyed this blog because I could appreciate your thoughts, got a feel for you and Suzy doing your thing, and could imagine being there and listening to the music.
Beth