Category Archives: Band Management

The Life of a Musician ~ Take 123

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Gandalfe

Only a dedicated musician would take $20,000 in instruments in his $500 car, 50 miles one way to make $20. ~ Anon The holiday season is upon us and for most musicians this is a busy time. I am an … Continue reading →

Posted in Band Management, Big Band, Guides, Music, My World | 2 Comments

Pricing your Band ~ A Lesson in Economics

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Gandalfe

My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time. ~ Steve Jobs I have been running the Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra for approaching 12 years. Three to … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, FAQ, Guides, My World, Quote | Tagged , | Leave a comment

2015 ~ Year of the Sax

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Gandalfe

Don’t play the saxophone. Let it play you. ~ Charlie Parker I’m looking forward to a music filled year. I am playing in a concert band, running a big band, and nursing my favorite sax x-tet (where x = the … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Quote, Sax Quartet, Sax Quintet, Saxophone | Tagged | 2 Comments

Mouthpiece Sale Blowout!

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Gandalfe

Sunday, 24 August 2014, starting a 1 PM (pacific time), Quinn the Eskimo Vintage Horns will be listing lots of clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces. Many of these auctions will start at 99 cents with no minimums. You can view these … Continue reading →

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Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra is on Holiday Break

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Gandalfe

“Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.” ~ Dave Barry On the tenth anniversary of this swing band … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Microsoft, Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra, Vocalist | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra Pictures

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Gandalfe

“You don’t take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it.” ~Anon I asked a friend of mine to take some photos at the last Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra gig. We have a lot of fun playing swing music, especially … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Facebook, flickr, Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra, MJJO | 2 Comments

New Big Band Fronts ~ You Choose

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Gandalfe

I am designing the next band fronts for my band. Do y’all have a fav?     I’m leaning toward the black background with the font from the white sample above. But I actually like all of these. We were … Continue reading →

Posted in Band Management, Microsoft, Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra, MJB, MJJO, Music | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Lesson One: Fronting a band at a Bar

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Gandalfe

“People don’t dance to brilliant guitar solos or heady changes, they dance to the hook lyrics of a simple chorus.” This was posted in Miami craigslist by a club owner about the bands he encounters, and also the realities of … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, FAQ, Gigs, Guides, Music, My World | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Musician Gig Snapshot ~ 2012

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Gandalfe

“The Music Business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallwaywhere thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There’s also anegative side.” ~ falsely accredited to Hunter S. Thompson Recently this article popped … Continue reading →

Posted in Band Management, Bass Sax, Culture, FAQ, Forum, Gigs, Guides, Music, My World | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra ~ 2012

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Gandalfe

My all-time favorite big band, that I’ve played in, is the Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra. Here is a slow number to dance to with your sweetie. Made up of hobbyist musicians, backed up by some ringers, this band is just … Continue reading →

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