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.

Adding a new instrument to your repetoire

Posted on October 4, 2006 by Gandalfe

A little over two years ago I bought a nice flute and really have just noodled around with it. I did get 15 minutes of help from a professional instructor because I could not figure out how to hold the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

Kellylee Evans’ Hooked

Posted on October 4, 2006 by Gandalfe

Every once in a while you hear a song that is so beautiful it haunts you. For the last two weeks it has been Maceo Parker’s "Blues for Shorty Bill" off of his ’93 album ‘Southern Exposure‘. It makes me … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | Leave a comment

Care and feeding of your favorite blogger

Posted on September 29, 2006 by Gandalfe

More and more of my family and friends are blogging and I like it. Here’s what I do to encourage the best to continue: 1. Leave comments. This is cheap and easy to do, lets the blogger know you’ve been … Continue reading →

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Why the Woodinville Community Band

Posted on September 26, 2006 by Gandalfe

When I was returning to music after a 30-year hiatus, hey heretofore the kids and work took up most of my free time, I had lots of community bands and smaller ensembles to consider in the Seattle and surrounding area. … Continue reading →

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Suzy the assistant Band Librarian

Posted on September 24, 2006 by Gandalfe

My wife Suzy has graciously offered to help the jazz ensemble and the concert band librarian catch up on some cateloging and copying of music. We recently received a generous donation of jazz ensemble music in folders by parts. Two … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Commuting | 2 Comments

The Range of the Saxophone Family

Posted on September 21, 2006 by Gandalfe

A standard jazz saxophone section is normally 5 pieces: two tenors, two altos, and a baritone sax.   Together these instruments span almost 4 octaves; rising from the baritone’s pedal C to the alto’s A above the treble clef.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Saxophone | 1 Comment

Community Band Board Meetings

Posted on September 19, 2006 by Gandalfe

Last night the Woodinville Community Band met to finish the 2007 season planning. We met at a board member’s house and there was a lot of food and non-business conversation. The director was unable to attend personally so we used … Continue reading →

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The Dissonance Returns (2006)

Posted on September 17, 2006 by Gandalfe

Last year I put together a pickup group, mostly of musicians from Microsoft for the United Way/King County day of caring. It was the best band I’ve ever played with and for an amateur, very exhillerating. I called us the … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Jazz, Music, My World | Leave a comment

Terry’s Fav Pit Band Experiences and Shows

Posted on September 14, 2006 by Gandalfe

[From Terry Stibal, Sounds of the South Dance Orchestra] Well, I could go ahead and post the list, but that might reek of bragging (I’ve done about twenty or twenty five different shows over the years, with multiple performances of … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Music, Theater | Leave a comment

Pit Crew – Chapter 3 – Audition for Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes”

Posted on September 12, 2006 by Gandalfe

Suzy and I arrived a Cathy’s very nice house and heard another candidate in the middle of an audition. Gut check time. Turns out the candidate knew me from my Admin position on Sax on the Web! It’s really a … Continue reading →

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