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.

10 Essential Qualities of Great Band Leadership

Posted on December 7, 2017 by Gandalfe

As the founder of a number of music ensembles I have always meant to write an article like this. Christiana does it better. Pictures from my collection by various photographers, some of which I know. 10 Essential Qualities of Great … Continue reading →

Posted in Band Management, FAQ, Guides, MJB, MJJO | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Twitter 2017

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Gandalfe

“Twitter provides us with a wonderful platform to discuss/confront societal problems. We trend Justin Bieber instead.” ~ Lauren Leto Back in the mid 2000s I created a twitter account for work. I stayed on topic for CRM, an industry that … Continue reading →

Posted in My World, Social Media, Twitter | 1 Comment

Writer’s Block

Posted on November 4, 2017 by Gandalfe

“Who is more to be pitied, a writer bound and gagged by policemen or one living in perfect freedom who has nothing more to say?” ~ Kurt Vonnegut Jr. When I realize that I haven’t written in a long time … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, My World, Tips and Tricks | Tagged | Leave a comment

Matthew Stone: Cry Me a River

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Gandalfe

Matthew Stone’s YouTube recordings have long been a fav of mine, almost always inspires me to pick up my sax and give the song a go. (Click on picture for sound.) Published on 17 Jan 2013 About 25 years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz, Saxophone, YouTube | Tagged | Leave a comment

Makin’ Music: This year’s MJJO Recordings

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Gandalfe

“Making music together is the best way for two people to become friends.” ~ Hermann Hesse This year I decided to take my band to a recording studio, TopOfTheHill Music Studio. This is the second time I’ve done this. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Band Management, Big Band, Guides, Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra, Music | Tagged | Leave a comment

Protect Yourself From Equifax ~ take two

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Gandalfe

From my friend and retail partner Steve Green… Quick Background: Between mid-May and July of 2017 cybercriminals stole the personal data of 143 million U.S. consumers by hacking into Equifax, one of the three major U.S. credit bureaus. Equifax discovered … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, FAQ, Guides | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rico ~ A Long Family Tradition

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Gandalfe

Today virtually every clarinet or saxophone performer has at one time or another performed with a Rico reed—and it all began in France with Joseph Rico in 1928. Rico, a talented musician born in Italy in 1876, ran away from … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, FAQ, Music | Tagged | Leave a comment

Tom “Bones Malone” – Sweet Home Chicago (Bari)

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Gandalfe

My homework for next week. 🙂

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Jazz, I’ll just put this here.

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Gandalfe

Overheard: Wonderful piece played wonderfully. It is a little funny though that the title of the video mentions a Duke Ellington cover. There are no covers in jazz, but great pieces known as standards, which all artists interpret their own … Continue reading →

Posted in Clarinet, Jazz, Saxophone | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Clarinet Cadenza Goodness

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Gandalfe

Mark Walton proves in this recording what a fine clarinetist he was in this, Sid Phillips’ chart. Both the musician and Sid are so underrated. Sid, a British musician, played in the United States on radio and freelance in clubs … Continue reading →

Posted in Clarinet, Jazz, Vintage | 2 Comments