Category Archives: Band Management

Free Sheet Music

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Gandalfe

“Without music, life would be a mistake.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche Found at the Community-music (band/orchestra) group on Yahoo. Are you looking for great music from the past? A quick check on BandMusic PDF Library reveals that there are many early … Continue reading →

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Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra ~ 2012

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Gandalfe

Last night was picture taking time with my all-time favorite band, the Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra 2012. This band is directed by Ray Guyll and consists of mostly Microsoft employees and alumni. The lead tenor and I (retired Microsoftie) are … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, Facebook, Jazz, Microsoft, Saxophone, Vocalist, YouTube | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Gordon Goodwin ~ Too Close for Comfort

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Gandalfe

The Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra luv’s this chart sung by our own Shaz. We don’t play a lot of Gordon Goodwin’s stuff because it is so fricken’ hard to do well. This one took a lot of practice, but we … Continue reading →

Posted in Band Management, Big Band, Female vocalists, Jazz, MJJO, Saxophone, Video, Vocalist, YouTube | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sight Reading Music is an Art

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Gandalfe

“Hell is full of musical amateurs.” ~ George Bernard Shaw This week I got to sit in with a struggling big band that is under new management. This band has very strong elements and a couple of weak players. I … Continue reading →

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Killer Sax Section

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Gandalfe

This is one of my favorite sax sections to date. The Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra played at the Hyatt Grand Ballroom in Bellevue for 3000+ Microsoft MVPs from all over the world. This section is tight and really swings. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, Community, Family, Jazz, Music, Music Instruments, Sax Quintet, Saxophone | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Noah’s Band

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Gandalfe

…in the dark of night the Lord awoke Noah, and spoke to him saying “Noah, awake and heed my words!” And Noah, being sore, afraid and disoriented, did cry out, “Who goeth there?” And the Lord did smite him upside … Continue reading →

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Building a Community at Facebook

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Gandalfe

“The body is a community made up of its innumerable cells or inhabitants.” ~ Thomas A. Edison I often think of the bands I’m in as family away from home. It is so comfortable gathering together, getting our stuff out, … Continue reading →

Posted in Band Management, Big Band, Community, Facebook, MJB, MJJO, Saxophone, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

From my Bucket List: Small Ensemble Musings

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Gandalfe

“As good as I am, I’m nothing without my band.” ~ Steven Tyler I was thinking about some of the things on my bucket list, most of them job, family and music related. I am not brave enough to share … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, Bucket List, Hobbies, Jazz, Music, Sax Quartet, Seattle, WCB, YouTube | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Microsoft Jazz Band Vocalists ~ 2011

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Gandalfe

I wanna give a shout out to the fab vocalists for the Microsoft Jazz Band 2011 season. The crowds loved them, danced to them, and couldn’t get enough. Much of the standard Jazz repertoire was written for the voice and … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Erotic, Female vocalists, Jazz, Microsoft, Saxophone, Swing Dancers, Vocalist | Tagged | Leave a comment

Public Domain Band Music

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Gandalfe

I recently discovered the BandMusic PDF Library. It contains musical gems from the time of Gilmore, Sousa, Pryor, Liberati, Goldman, Reeves and other professional bands that were wildly popular in their day. In addition to touring the country, performing in … Continue reading →

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