Category Archives: Band

Bucket List #3 ~ Attend NAMM ~ check

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Gandalfe

If you have a music bucket list, attending NAMM at least once should be on it. NAMM 2015 was held in Anaheim this year and hosted over 75,000 attendees. Opening day included a visit by the Disneyland band. The best … Continue reading →

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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

Composer Thomas Newman

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Gandalfe

Just sitting here enjoying the work of composer Thomas Newman. Newman has been nominated for twelve Academy Awards and three Golden Globes, and has won two BAFTAs, six Grammys and an Emmy Award. Newman was honored with the Richard Kirk … Continue reading →

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Seasonal Concerts started last night

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Gandalfe

There’s something about a holiday that isn’t all about how much money you spend. ~ Hilarie Burton The opening night of this year’s “In the Mood” theater production has come and gone. There were a lot of great moments and … Continue reading →

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“In the Mood” 2014 (theater)

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Gandalfe

As this show’s opening approaches, the band it really clicking so far. Our drummer had to walk out on us because he was over extended and it was causing health issues. But two subs peeked in. The actors are learning … Continue reading →

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Ray Guyll, music teacher extraordinaire and my friend

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Gandalfe

To his many friends and all ships at sea, RAY HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! A great light has been extinguished.  I am so, so sorry. “SO LONG PAL.” ~ Bill Sheehan Suzy and I have lost an amazing music teacher … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Community, Education, Heroes, Hobbies, Jazz, MJJO, Saxophone, WCB | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Robin Hilt ~ Jazz Vocalist

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Gandalfe

Photographer Mark Gladding took some pictures of my band at a charity event last weekend. I’ve seen maybe ten of the hundreds of photos he shot. This one is my favorite so far: Robin Hilt is one very special and … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Female vocalists, Jazz, Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra, Photograph | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Meet the Super Geek League

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Gandalfe

This Seattle phenomenon is called the Super Geek League, where I have some friends playing with shock music.  I keep meaning to find time to go to their show and now that they are releasing their third CD, will have … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Band, Culture, Dancing, Seattle | Tagged | Leave a comment

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

Community Band Drama ~ Johan de Meij’s “Gollum”

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Gandalfe

I was listening to this video, yet again, and marveling at how much of the band dynamics were captured. Filmed by a musician and arranger, Jeff Keith, he pans to the soloist right in time, does a lovely split screen … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Community, Saxophone, WCB | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment