Category Archives: Band

Baby it’s cold outside

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Gandalfe

I am taking a day off to prepare for a weekend with three concert gigs. In between cleaning the mouthpieces, setting the reeds, and practicing the gnarly parts, I am looking for some music to highlight in next year’s concert … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, Female vocalists, Jazz, MJB, Music, Too Spicy for some, Vocalist, Xmas | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Casa du Glassa ~ Music Studio by Design

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Gandalfe

As some of you might know, I am crazy happy with my return to performance music. Some might suggest I’ve gone a little over the top; they would be right. But we really lucked into the music studio. When the … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Education, Gigs, Hobbies, Jazz, Music, Piano, Sax Quartet, Vocalist | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Orange Colored Sky

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Gandalfe

The Microsoft Jazz Band performed this in July. Another of my favs, again by Shaz Adams, “Orange Colored Sky” is a popular song, written by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein and published in 1950. As sung by Shaz at Big … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Entertainment, Hobbies, Jazz, MJB, Music, Saxophone, Vocalist | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Clarinet Challenge ~ Can you say Fricken Hard?

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Gandalfe

I am firstly a sax guy. I have a lot of music to prepare for the seven holiday gigs I have in December. Clarinet remains my biggest challenge and after three years of a on again, off again relationship, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Christmas, Clarinet, Education, Entertainment, Music, Music Instruments | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Music Ambassadors

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Gandalfe

The WCB Music Ambassadors is an adjunct of the Woodinville Community Band made up of hobbyist musicians from Seattle’s eastside. A number of small group ensembles, we meet prior to our major Woodinville Community Band concerts. Today you will hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Christmas, Entertainment, F Mezzo, Holiday, Music, Sax Quartet, Saxophone, Video, WCB | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reducing squeaks on the Bass Clarinet

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Gandalfe

I am a hobbyist who started playing clarinet three years ago. I find voicing the clarion range in the bass clarinet to be a challenge, especially because I am a doubler who’s main instrument is the saxophone. So these two … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Clarinet, Education, Music, Music Instruments, Repair, Video | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

MJB: 720 in the Books

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Gandalfe

Microsoft Jazz Band lays down the beat to Jan Savitt & His Top Hatters famous ‘720 in the Books’. This Jack Mason arrangement hits the sweet spot for both the band and the dancers. Guests Darren Motamedy on tenor sax … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Jazz, Microsoft, MJB, Video | Leave a comment

Yeah, a paid gig!

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Gandalfe

So Alan pings me yesterday and sez, “Hey Jim, we need an alto sax sub this Saturday. We’ll pay you to do this gig.” Sweet. Here were my questions: 1. Is this a two hour (two one hour sets) gig? … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Jazz, Music | Leave a comment

MJB featuring Darren Motamedy

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Gandalfe

In July the Microsoft Jazz Band played at Big Daddy’s in Woodinville and featured Darren Motamedy on soprano and tenor sax and Dennis Haldane on trumpet. It turned out to be the hottest day of the year, but the band … Continue reading →

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The Last Summer Concert for MJB

Posted on August 22, 2010 by Gandalfe

We were lucky to get a fabulous day at the Ballard Locks, complete with a vintage car show on the side. Lisa took some pictures that I thought I would share with you. Kudos for Lisa and a tip of … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Community, Jazz, Saxophone, Seattle | Tagged | 2 Comments