Category Archives: Band

A Late Bloomer’s Trip in Sax Toyland

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Gandalfe

Taken from the Sax on the Web article I posted in 2004 ish. I wanted to have a copy on my blog. I’ve been toying with flying down to visit Kessler & Son’sshop after a great purchase of an Antigua … Continue reading →

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Jazz Drums Redux ~ A review of my kit

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Gandalfe

I invited Scott Small to sit in with the Microsoft Jazz Band for an upcoming gig. One of the practice sessions was in my music studio. I have a drum kit, bass and amp, and Roland keyboard sit up so … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Drums, Jazz, Man stuff, Music Instruments, My World | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Swing dance your way to health and happiness

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Gandalfe

With so many bands it’s about their ego. But we’re just servants to the dancers; we wouldn’t be anything without them.” ~ Heather Ellison, of the Savoy Swingers I was looking at some pictures of the dancers at one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Culture, Dancing, Jazz, Music, Style, Swing Dancers, teachers | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Bari Sax can *Never* be too LOUD?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Gandalfe

I was talking to Greg Cagle, a friend of mine and a woodwind doubler who can often be heard tootin’ on a bari sax like in this number: Can you hear this bari? I luv his sound styling and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, Jazz, Movies, Music Instruments, Quote, Saxophone | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Come out swingin’

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Gandalfe

Just posted this fun video of the Microsoft Jazz Band kickin’ it with Larry Neeck’s “Come Out Swinging” to a very appreciative audience. Micah Lapping-Carr covers the alto sax solo and Kress Franzen is caught busting out all tbony and … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, Culture, Dancing, Entertainment, Hobbies, Jazz, Microsoft, MJB, Music Instruments, Saxophone, YouTube | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Design: The Hunt for the Perfect Big Band Stand Front

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Gandalfe

In the almost seven years that I have been running a couple of Big Bands, I have been trying to design a stand front that is all things to all people. My wife does the actual fabrication, but I do … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Music | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Eppelshiem & Reese C Soprano Sax Redux

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Gandalfe

Here’s a recent update from my Gandalfe buys an Eppelsheim & Reese C Soprano post of two years ago. This advice comes from a professional musician and I still need to get permission to attribute this to him. But I … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Collectable, Conn-o-sax, Hobbies, Music, Music Instruments, My World, Nerds, Recorder, Saxophone | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Measuring Music Tempo ~ How fast is fast?

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Gandalfe

A music forum noob recently asked me how fast a piece marked Allegro should be played. It got me to thinking that I should place this here in case my source disappears, which btw happens more times than you might … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Big Band, Classical, Education, Forum, Language, Music, Reference, Wikipedia | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

WCB: Spring Concert Video

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Gandalfe

Harry Miller is our new videographer and his first run at recording a concert band performance has returned stellar results. Notably the close-ups are stellar. Harry hopes to replace the third camera that was used on the long shots before … Continue reading →

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A night out with the Woodinville Community Band

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Gandalfe

Suzy and I have been members of the Woodinville Community Band for over seven years now. I have been the sax section leader and joined the board six years ago as the Event Coordinator. Suzy has been in the clarinet … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Clarinet, Community, Saxophone, WCB | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment