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.

EARTH: The Pale Blue Dot – Carl Sagan

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Gandalfe

For readings from Carl Sagan’s "Pale Blue Dot" click on the picture below:   This is an example from the Vimeo site which hosts high definition videos. So many places to explore on this virtual world called the Internet.

Posted in Technology | 3 Comments

Tower of Power Horns – Soul Vaccination

Posted on January 30, 2009 by Gandalfe

These guys make it look so easy. No rhythm section save clapping and these guys are tiiiiiggghhhtt! They are tighter than a panty-less lady on a ice cube chair! Locally we have DoctorfunK which "was established in 1995 and has … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 3 Comments

Best.Inaugural.Photo.Ever.

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Gandalfe

As reported by theAtlantic.com is 1,474 megapixels big. You can zoom in on lapel buttons for as far as the eye can see. Seriously: amazing shit. David Bergman made it out of 220 separate photos. Click on the picture below … Continue reading →

Posted in News and politics, Photograph | 6 Comments

Oddee.com: Ten Most Unique Churches

Posted on January 22, 2009 by Gandalfe

My mom recently got an email that highlighted ten of the most unique churches in the world. She knows that I am very interested in Architecture and this write up was stellar. But it was a direct lift from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Photograph | 11 Comments

Obama Inaugural Combo Impresses

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Gandalfe

My dawgs and I was watching the Air and Simple Gifts composition at the inauguration of Barack Obama yesterday. John Williams composed this song explicitly for the inauguration performed by Itzhak Perlman on violin, Yo-Yo Ma on bass, Anthony Mcgill … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Cuatro Vientos, musical theater

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Gandalfe

I’m doing some sax quartet practicing and Helen points to this very fine YouTubeage by the musical theater group Cuatro Vientos. I find it to be a very artful montage of some the most commonly played sax quartets.

Posted in Saxophone | 4 Comments

Forgot to turn down the Suck Knob

Posted on January 14, 2009 by Gandalfe

I’m working with my grandson to teach him to be a sound technician and roadie for my bands. So I sent his this classic ‘Far Side’ cartoon. :o) So far he has schlepped heavy equipment using a cart, set up … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 6 Comments

Would you know beauty if it looked you in the face…

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Gandalfe

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and wellness | 3 Comments

Professor Gadget Sax Quartet, take III

Posted on January 11, 2009 by Gandalfe

I have been kinda putting together and taking apart a sax quartet for a while now and this incarnation resulted in two videos being taken during a sight reading session. I’ve been all over the place with the names from … Continue reading →

Posted in Saxophone | 1 Comment

Snoqualmie Falls and other Rain Crazy Pictures

Posted on January 10, 2009 by Gandalfe

Lisa and Greg posted this crazy, I mean seriously crazy picture of what happens when you have record breaking rains at Snoqualmie Falls. Here is the before and the after pictures:         Taken by Greg a couple years ago                                                … Continue reading →

Posted in News and politics | 3 Comments