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.

72 Virgins or …

Posted on July 3, 2007 by Gandalfe

"He told me…that, as a martyr, he would have been granted 72 virgins. This didn’t seem quite the moment to point out that there is a lively, ongoing debate among scholars of Islam as to whether the 72 promised virgins … Continue reading →

Posted in News and politics | Leave a comment

Jay Easton talks about Bass Saxes

Posted on July 2, 2007 by Gandalfe

I love this from Jay Easton at the Bass Saxophone Page on his mostly-saxophone Web site: "The bass saxophone is the lowest member of the saxophone family ever widely manufactured. If there was ever an unjustly neglected instrument, this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Saxophone | 1 Comment

The Eppelsheim (Eppy) Bass Sax to low A Project

Posted on June 29, 2007 by Gandalfe

I was on the Bass Saxophone Coop forum and I ran into a post by Jay Heath (all pictures are by Jay) of Middletown Music. He had what looked to me to be my ‘special’ custom bass sax by Benedikt Eppelsheim. … Continue reading →

Posted in Saxophone | Leave a comment

The Concert — and then came the rain

Posted on June 29, 2007 by Gandalfe

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 9 Comments

The National Music Museum

Posted on June 28, 2007 by Gandalfe

Founded in 1973 on the campus of The University of South Dakota in Vermillion, the National Music Museum (NMM) & Center for Study of the History of Musical Instruments is one of the great institutions of its kind in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Tonight: Jazz Alley with Sara Gazarek

Posted on June 27, 2007 by Gandalfe

Last night I thought I saw one of the fabulous musicians who I discovered on MySpace on Komo4 News. And it was vocalist extrordinaire Sara Gazarek. So I called Jazz Alley and it wasn’t too late to get tickets for Suzy … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 4 Comments

Woodinville Jazz Ensemble Performances this Month

Posted on June 26, 2007 by Gandalfe

I wanted to take a minute to let you know that the WJE will be performing at Cottage Lake Park, Woodinville, WA at 7 PM on Thursday 28 June and at the Ballard Locks, Ballard, WA at 2 PM on … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 5 Comments

Gandalfe gets a scooter

Posted on June 22, 2007 by Gandalfe

I have been trying to lessen my impact on mother Earth. I moved within a mile of where I work from Kent and cut my gas consumption and exhaust time to 1/20th of what it was. I’m two miles from … Continue reading →

Posted in Scooter | 9 Comments

Second Life – Or where I come clean

Posted on June 21, 2007 by Gandalfe

I have recently gotten hooked on the virtual world provided at Second Life. And no I will not tell you my SL handle. :o)  I went to SL to look at the property Microsoft put up. I am toying with … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment | 3 Comments

Chocolate Tasting and traveling on the Islands

Posted on June 19, 2007 by Gandalfe

Paul and Lynne invited us to take a tour to Port Townsend to go to a 3 hour chocolate tasting class. Half the fun was being with our friends and enjoying the ferry rides to the venue. Here is from right … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and wellness | 5 Comments