Category Archives: Big Band

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 →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, Community, Education, Hobbies | Tagged , | 1 Comment

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

Flash Mob vs. Smart Mob

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Gandalfe

Another item on my Bucket List is about to be played out. A flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, … 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

My kind of music, Jazz is

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Gandalfe

“A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.” ~ Abraham Maslow With my new job and extended commute, I am practicing less. I need to … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Big Band, Commuting, Entertainment, Family, Getting a Job, Gigs, Jazz, YouTube | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Gershwin, a Lovely Voice and Bari Fun

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Gandalfe

As part of the “In the Mood” show I got to play bari sax on this lovely Dave Wolpe arrangement of Gershwin’s “Summertime”. The vocalist was the lovely and talented Robin Hilt. It is very rare for me to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Big Band, Community, Female vocalists, Hobbies, Music, Music Instruments, My World, Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Don’t You Do Right?

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Gandalfe

Suzy and I spent a couple of months of practice and five weekend daze doing this year’s production of “In the Mood” with the Sky Notes Orchestra. How much fun is that! Suzy covered tenor sax and clarinet and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Big Band, Community, Gigs, Holiday, Jazz, Music Instruments, Theater, Vintage | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Community Big Bands ~ Music for Swing Dance Lovers

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Gandalfe

Suzy and I were sitting in with the “In the Mood” big band last night. We have agreed to play in five of the six theater shows of a USO like production. She is playing the clarinet and tenor sax. … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Big Band, Clarinet, Community, Hobbies, Holiday, Saxophone, Theater, Vocalist | Tagged , , | Leave a comment