Category Archives: Gigs

Lesson One: Fronting a band at a Bar

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Gandalfe

“People don’t dance to brilliant guitar solos or heady changes, they dance to the hook lyrics of a simple chorus.” This was posted in Miami craigslist by a club owner about the bands he encounters, and also the realities of … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, Big Band, FAQ, Gigs, Guides, Music, My World | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Musician Gig Snapshot ~ 2012

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Gandalfe

“The Music Business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallwaywhere thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There’s also anegative side.” ~ falsely accredited to Hunter S. Thompson Recently this article popped … Continue reading →

Posted in Band Management, Bass Sax, Culture, FAQ, Forum, Gigs, Guides, Music, My World | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

This Community Band Is Up to the Challenge

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Gandalfe

It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing. ~ Boromir, about the ring in Lord of the Rings. When the Woodinville Community Band director Leah … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Bucket List, Classical, Community, Gigs, Music, Music Instruments, Saxophone, WCB, Wikipedia, YouTube | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Work at 56, Starting Over

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Gandalfe

By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day. ~ Robert Frost After 20 years in the military and 20 years at Microsoft, I now work in South Lake … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Commuting, Computers and Internet, Culture, Economics, Education, Employment, Getting a Job, Gigs, Guides, Health and wellness, Lifestyle, My World | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

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

Getting Hired by Microsoft ~ the Zoosk way

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Gandalfe

“I’d rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.” ~ George Burns Over the years many, many family and friends have sent me their resume to get hired by Microsoft. I’m embarrassed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bucket List, Education, Getting a Job, Gigs, Health and wellness, Microsoft, My World, Quote | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Balancing work and kids ~ real advice for real life

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Gandalfe

In my travels for Microsoft I often get asked about work/home life balance. Having come from 20 years in the military, I really wanted to find a job where I could create a successful and satisfying balance. I think I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Education, Gigs, Health and wellness, In the news..., Lifestyle, Microsoft, My World, Nerds, Playtime, Research, retirement, Theory | Tagged | 3 Comments

Clarinet Solo Stretch Goal: Stompin’ at the Savoy

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Gandalfe

In preparation for the Microsoft Jazz Band swing dance gig at Third Place Commons, I am working on a clarinet solo. Every year I try to do one clarinet solo; it’s a stretch goal for me. You see I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Band, Clarinet, Education, Gigs, Hobbies, Jazz, MJB, Music Instruments, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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