Author Archives: Gandalfe

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.

Finding Music Performance Opportunities

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Gandalfe

I got a email from a Sax Professor and repair tech asking for playing opportunities for an adult returning to music performance. I thought I’d capture my response so that I can point to it again (rather than redraft it) … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Ken Burns “Jazz” History Series on YouTube

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Gandalfe

Kamran points to this 1 of 111 YouTube video of the Ken Burns “Jazz” DVD set. I started watching Ken Burns Jazz series on NetFlix this year. It’s fascinating with a lot of eye-opening info like the story of saxophonist … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 1 Comment

Twitter clout and Land Lines

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Gandalfe

Alltop’s Holy Kaw talks about measuring your clout on Twitter. With so many people using new social media channels, experimenting with the new paradigm, this is a good read. It’s not for the faint of heart either. My friends and … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Tagged Sign of the times, Twitter | 6 Comments

I want to be a musician. No, no you don’t.

Posted on January 17, 2010 by Gandalfe

I was listening to Ken Robinson, author of “The Element” speak last week and I keep coming back to a little story he tells. It goes something like this. A friend of mine was at a party and became enthralled … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Avatar Fun (the Movie)

Posted on January 17, 2010 by Gandalfe

I’ve set my screensaver and desk top to an Avatar the movie theme. For some reason the idea that humans engage in mining Pandora’s reserves of a precious mineral, while the Na’vi—a race of indigenous humanoids—resist the colonists’ expansion, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment | 2 Comments

I luv Bing

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Gandalfe

Bing wins a Crunchies Award as best technology achievement of 2009.

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Having Never Done a Sax Choir Until Now…

Posted on January 10, 2010 by Gandalfe

Suzy and I put together a group from the Woodinville Community Band. We cobbled together some charts and met at Casa du Glassa for a sight reading session. We’ll have three 20 minute gigs times 3 or 4 groups; a … Continue reading →

Posted in Saxophone | Leave a comment

Stephen Howard: Jazz Etiquette (part III) – Listeners

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Gandalfe

“It can ( and indeed should ) be said that if you find listening to jazz fun then you don’t really understand it. The whole point of attending a jazz gig is to demonstrate to your friends and colleagues that … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | 2 Comments

NPR: Find Jobs in the next Decade

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Gandalfe

Every year I post something like this for my kids, both in my immediate and extended family. From NPR we hear, “The first decade of this century ended as a disaster for employment. Since the recession began two years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in News and politics | Leave a comment