The Bis Key Chronicles

Suzy splurged a couple of years ago and bought us both this RATstand. It was the 6th or 7th in a line of attempts to find the perfect stand. This stand is it. There’s a video on the Web site for the Jazz Stand that show how easily it goes up. And *everyone* asks about the stand. They are very interested until they hear the price.

The stand has an optional case that we use to carry the plexiglass (for windy days) and sometimes the music if it’s in a folder. Here is the copy:

The Jazz stand is a professional quality portable music stand with a full range of height adjustment, industry standard stability, and a full size music tray with pencil shelf. And yet, as a result of its unique and patented design, it folds in three moves to a flat pack no larger than the size of the tray, and under 5cm thick. It does this with no knobs, no finger traps, and no hassle; just three easy moves.

When standing, the height of the music stand is adjusted by raising or lowering it to the desired height and leaving it there. Its patented friction joints ensure that it stays at the right height. Likewise, the tray stays at whatever angle you set it.

Jazz stands nest next to each other when standing. Once folded, they interlock to form an orderly pile. Or you can pop one in the gig bag with your music (see accessories). Please note that colour and tray options are subject to availability.

The Jazz stand can be unfolded with the base facing away from the musician; this enables it to get right up to the chair of the player in front. This configuration is also more suitable for conductors, cellists, and harpists.

As most of you know I have a music studio on the first floor of my house. So far I have sound molded it (with various foam, curtain, and such devices), had a drummer friend of mine help me purchase and place a jazz drum set, purchased a Roland keyboard, and purchased a bass amp, sound system, mixer, mics and speakers. My band mates in the rhythm section, except for the bass player could show up after work and just start playing without schlepping their gear around.

So I starting pricing basses and they were pricy. I had gotten most of the other stuff at 50% or more off the normal prices because I wasn’t in a hurry and could wait for the sales. So when something like the Bellafina Model Bass was offered at under $500 I decided to leap. Shipping was another $200 and then I had Brad take it to his string repair tech in Everett to fix the bridge and put a pickup on the instrument. When it was all said and done, I had just under $1000 invested in the instrument. After about six months we took it back to the tech to finish adjust ments and now the bass is set for a while.

I then got a Peavy bass guitar which I keep in the studio too, just in case the is a player who prefers it. That cost me $60 at a pawn shop which was a very good deal if you ask me. So matched up with a 400 watt Behringer bass amp, this is a very phat sound.

I wouldn’t have considered this except this matched the setup my bass guy for the Dissonance has and he is kind of an expert on guitars and basses. He plays a number of Frankenstein setups like a guitar with two strings for bass and four for guitar on the same instrument. So far, no one has complained about the bass setup and all appreciate not having to carry their gear to a practice.

Here, mostly for my own use, is my schedule for the rest of the year… so far.

PCBB:

• Sept 13 – Eastside Swing Dance, 7 – 10 PM
• Nov 13 – Annual Arthur Murray Swing Dance, Seattle Center House 8 – 10 PM
• Dec 12 – Winterfest, Seattle Center House, 7 – 8:30 PM

Dissonance:

• Aug 28 – Crossroads, Bellevue, 7:30 – 10:00 PM
• Sept 6 – Ballard Locks, 2-4 PM
• Sept 12 – Showbox Night Club, Seattle, 6-10 PM

MJB:

• Aug 23, 2009 = Ballard Locks, 2-4 PM

WCB:

• Nov 22, 2009 – Redmond HS Performance Center, time TBD (probably 3 pm)

Plus any sub gigs although I tend to turn down more than I play now-a-days.

Anytime I can catch these guys in town, we go to hear the Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band. My friend Paul Woltz is on soprano and bass sax and is jointed by a very relaxed Bert Barr who makes playing trumpet look easy.

The Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band is a Dixieland jazz band from the Bellevue, WA area. Started in 1971 by Bert Barr, it has performed continuously since that time now appearing at over 25 festivals and concerts annually throughout the United Stated and abroad. Major festivals include The Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Sun Valley Swing & Dixie, The Great Connecticut Jazz Festival, San Diego Jazz Festival, Pismo Beach Jazz and America’s Festival in Lacey, WA held over the 4th of July weekend. The full seven piece band has a worldwide reputation having performed in Japan, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Mexico and Canada.

Their first album, "Your Requests" was released in 1985, and the band has since released at least fifteen albums. The last album, "Chattanooga Stomp" was recorded in 2007. (Wikipedia)

I took some still shots too with a new camera that I was trying out.

The crowds are packed in, dancers doing their thang, and kids clappin’ their hands. And the price was right as this is a free concert which is part of the Crossroads Bellevue Summer Music program. Having come from the Midwest where music night was held at the city courthouse fountain, this kind of presentation takes me back. I really like Crossroads Bellevue on a number of levels, including for their support of local music. Maybe I’ll see you there when my group, the Dissonance, takes the stage on Friday, 28 August.

Your Gift Matched through August 31 – Give $25, Symphony Gets $50!

An anonymous donor has pledged a Matching Gift Challenge to help us close the gap on our 2008–2009 fiscal year, and we need your help! With only a few weeks to go before the August 31 deadline, every donor matters, every dollar counts — and through the end of this month, every dollar will double!
A gift of $25 sends five students to an Arts in Education concert at Benaroya Hall. Just think what $100 could do — what $1,000 could do — to keep music alive in our community.

Giving is easy. You can donate online at www.seatttlesymphony.org, or via the phone at 206.215.4868. And now, all gifts above $50 dollars will be entered to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming Seattle Symphony concert, plus pre-concert dinner in the elegant Norcliffe Founders Room.* Thank you for your continued support of Seattle Symphony!