Author Archives: Gandalfe

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About Gandalfe

Just an itinerant saxophonist trying to find life between the changes. I have retired from the Corps of Engineers and Microsoft. I am an admin on the Woodwind Forum, run the Pacifica Big Band (formerly the Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra) and participate in other ensembles. Mostly enjoy time with family and friends.

Moanin’

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Gandalfe

This song, Moanin’ by Mingus, is the kind of song that we used to play in the Jazz Ensemble. Now having moved on to the Big Band, I will miss these kind of songs. And when you add Jimmy Smith … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Jazz, Music, Saxophone, Vintage | 4 Comments

The Seattle Community Band Festival

Posted on June 22, 2008 by Gandalfe

The Woodinville Community Band is sponsoring the second annual Seattle and surrounding areas Community Band Festival. Maybe I’ll see some you there to sample the music and enjoy the Shoreline Arts Festival crafts and goings on. Cheers. Poster by Suzy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Horace Silver Talks Jazz

Posted on June 21, 2008 by Gandalfe

Neil Proff, my sax instructor, handed me an excerpt chapter from the “The Art of Small Combo Jazz Playing, Composing & Arranging” by Horace Silver. I has spurred me on to purchase the book which I have only be able … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Jazz, Music, Saxophone | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics

Posted on June 20, 2008 by Gandalfe

It has been said that you can manipulate statistics to show anything that you might want to demonstrate. I was reading an article in one of the newspapers about how the Bush administration continues to manipulate statistics on terrorism. Um… … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Statistics | 5 Comments

Dan and Dustin Higgins Redux

Posted on June 15, 2008 by Gandalfe

 

Posted in Jazz | 9 Comments

Trevor Wye: Technique Tips

Posted on June 14, 2008 by Gandalfe

Merlin was talking on the Woodwind Forum about a rather influential flute method omnibus by Trevor Wye with the unassuming title of, "Practice for the Flute". I was able to pick up from Amazon.com’s used book service for the cost … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 6 Comments

Voicing Exotic Saxophones (Soprillo and Bass Sax)

Posted on June 13, 2008 by Gandalfe

An intermediate sax player like me can only play a new instrument by spending a lot of time working on the voicing of the new instrument. It took me, at that time an alto and bari sax player, over a … Continue reading →

Posted in Eppelsheim, Music, Music Instruments, Saxophone, soprillo | 7 Comments

Take the Bush & McCain Challenge – Can You Tell Them Apart?

Posted on June 12, 2008 by Gandalfe

  

Posted in Politics | 12 Comments

My (work) team moves to Bellevue

Posted on June 11, 2008 by Gandalfe

We moved over the weekend to a new campus. It’s taken a few days to get used to the new Advanta campus. And the new phone system is full of gadgets and gizmos including a headset that hooks into your … Continue reading →

Posted in Commuting, Microsoft, My World, Travel | 7 Comments

The Country of the Blind

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Gandalfe

How many of you reading this title would immediately think of the last eight years of of politics in the US? Because I am so depressed about those years, I try not to grouse about them too much. But when … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 6 Comments