Sunday found Suzy and I playing with WJE at a venue overlooking the Puget Sound and next to the Pike Street Market. It was a lovely 72 degrees with mostly clear skies. Our music consisted of big band hits like Two O’clock Jump and some funk like Honk.

We were supposed to play outside for the annual Heritage House BBQ but earlier that morning it was much cooler in the 50’s and rain threatened so they move the party inside. Playing outside is not my favorite thing to do as the big wide world seems to mute our instruments a lot. Inside, we have to play quieter and our mix, it seems to me, is much nicer. Inside we only miked the vocalist.

JB, on bari sax had a very nice solo, although we could have miked him too. Bruce Leksa, who is also the president of the Portage Bay Big Band, did a nice rendition of ‘Little Brown Jug’ with vocal and trumpet solos. Mark Stephens, also the drummer for the Mach One Jazz Orchestra, had a number of solos.

The band was a hit and very ‘ON’ that afternoon. The energy really comes from everyone but it didn’t hurt that Neil Prof was both directing and playing a number of solos like the tenor sax solo in Honk.

Playing with a community band jazz ensemble has been very challenging for Suzy and I. We are both studying with various people to get up to speed. Suzy takes three lessons a week from two instructors. I take an hour a week from Neil with an emphasis on sight reading and counting. Maybe in two or three years we will be somewhat close to the kind of players we aspire to become.

Our next gig is with the Dissonance xTet at Ballard Locks on 2 September. On 21 September the Dissonance will reorg into a big band composed of only Microsofties will play for the King County Day of Caring at a number of venues.