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.

The Paper Flute

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Gandalfe

Matt Stohrer, an instrument repair tech and a very creative person, points out this video describing the process of creating a flute from paper. [Correction: Minor correction though: they aren’t paper, although they are printed. Its a plastic of some … Continue reading →

Posted in Flute, Music Instruments, Video, YouTube | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Top 10 Things that should have Disappeared this Decade

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Gandalfe

The first decade of the new Century and I’m already thinking about what technology and society has made obsolete. The funniest I’ve seen so far is from our friends at the Huffington Post cast as a photo show: 12 Things … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology, Education, Entertainment, Politics, Technology, Television, Theory | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Searching for Internal Pulse ~ One Musician’s Quest

Posted on December 28, 2010 by Gandalfe

After a ~27 year break from music, yes work and family took front stage during that time, I returned to music performance. I played alto sax from fifth through 12th grade and then auditioned for marching band at the University … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Education, Everyday Science, Music, Theory | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bring in the New Years with Red Underwear

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Gandalfe

The tradition of wearing red underwear to bring in the new year is said to date back to the Middle Ages when you were not allowed to wear red garments. Red was forbidden because the color was associated with blood, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and wellness, Holiday, International, Lifestyle, Nude, Too Spicy for some | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

MJB: Third Place Commons Swing Dance

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Gandalfe

Okay, I’ve finalized the Microsoft Jazz Band set list for the Third Place Commons the last Saturday in January 2011. I know, I know,… It only took me two months. Bruce Gallagher will be on lead tenor and Ray Guyll … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, Clarinet, Dancing, Female vocalists, Microsoft, MJB, Piano, Saxophone, Vocalist | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Ward Baxter’s “The Grinch”

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Gandalfe

This year as part of the holiday concert, the Woodinville Community Band performed Ward Baxter’s “the Grinch”. I am lucky enough to be able to do it on an Eppelsheim bass sax that is keyed to low A. Standard bass … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Bass Sax, Christmas, Community, Hobbies, Holiday, Saxophone | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Gandalfe

Click on picture to hear the greeting.

Posted in Christmas, Holiday, Vocalist | Tagged | Leave a comment

EMJO does WinterFest 2010

Posted on December 22, 2010 by Gandalfe

I recorded the Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra last weekend as a favor to my many friends in the band. I had just purchased the Sony HD Blogger video camera because my high-end but older video camera could only record 28 … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Community, Jazz, Saxophone, Video, YouTube | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amber Admires the Sax

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Gandalfe

My little granddaughter Amber, Josie’s daughter, thinks she wants to play clarinet or sax. As she is just six, I have given her a recorder which she hasn’t made much progress on. However, she does spend some time on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bass Sax, Christmas, Family, Saxophone | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Where Does Your Money Go?

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Gandalfe

Here’s a nice chart provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Interesting that they clump pensions with insurance, but still both only account for 10% of the average income. 34% going for housing seems high to me too. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Everyday Science, Family, Getting a Job, Government, Lifestyle, Statistics | Tagged , | Leave a comment