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.

Making a Tenor Sax sound like a Bass Clarinet

Posted on October 30, 2006 by Gandalfe

I have been playing and transposing bass clarinet music with a tenor sax for an up and coming theater production. I have been playing clarinet including the bass clarinet for less than a year now. But two considerations came into play here. … Continue reading →

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Benny Goodman Does the Parker Ornithology

Posted on October 29, 2006 by Gandalfe

Many of the older Benny Goodman videos/films were pre-recorded and produced for particular movies, but here is a more recent rare one which is worth taking a peek at. Goodman, explains improvising and then plays Charlie Parker’s "Ornithology" with help … Continue reading →

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Watch a Saxophone be Built

Posted on October 28, 2006 by Gandalfe

The saxophone is one of those things that take a lot of hand work to create. Although modern robots can do a lot, only a player can really check out an instrument. And as a friend of mine said, watch the … Continue reading →

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Three Days, Two Smashed Soprano Saxes

Posted on October 25, 2006 by Gandalfe

This has been a very stressful, costly, and now depressing week. It should have been so different, what with my favorite (only ;o) sister visiting and a great trip to Jazz Alley. But Saturday I touched my soprano sax and … Continue reading →

Posted in Theater | 1 Comment

Finding a sub for a pit band

Posted on October 21, 2006 by Gandalfe

For the up-coming Second Story Rep production of Cole Porter’s ‘Anything Goes’ we need a sub for November 17 & 18. I pretty quickly exhausted the list of people who could do it even if we had to write the … Continue reading →

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Adventures in the Second Story Rep Pit Band

Posted on October 18, 2006 by Gandalfe

[More in the continuing saga of Suzy and my first experience as part of a theater pit band. We will be doing the Second Story Rep’s production of Cole Porter’s ‘Anything Goes’.]   Tonight Jamie and Liz have set up … Continue reading →

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A Traitor Clarinet in the Ranks

Posted on October 16, 2006 by Gandalfe

from the September 29, 1993 edition of the Christian Science Monitor by Robert Klose ONE of the singular pleasures of being an exchange student in Germany was the opportunity to play clarinet in one of the myriad orchestras that are … Continue reading →

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Want a Happy Marriage? Be Nice, Don’t Nitpick

Posted on October 13, 2006 by Gandalfe

Quote: … you must be nice to your partner. Make small gestures, but make them often. "The little things matter. What a happy marriage is based on is deep friendship, knowing each other well, having mutual respect, knowing when it makes … Continue reading →

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The Secret to Happiness

Posted on October 10, 2006 by Gandalfe

What is the secret to happiness, I mean besides having the happiness gene. A friend of mine recommends not hanging around unhappy people. It drains your energy and lessens the quality of your life. Well there actually is a Havard … Continue reading →

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Review: Route 66 Big Band

Posted on October 9, 2006 by Gandalfe

Nicky, my grandson, and I went to hear the Route 66 Big Band at the Bellevue Crossroads. Nicky and I are aspiring saxophone players and we had hear great things about this band. We were not to be disappointed. The … Continue reading →

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