Rob Birdwell - musician, composer, arranger, songwriter, and founder of BirdwellMusic.com. Groups and collaborations include The Blowholes, The Svens, Creighton Lindsay, Halie Loren, The Nettles, 5th and B, Sideways Portal, and many other musical clans; this is where Rob toots his own horn and posts his musical musings, observations, rants, raves and, well, all things, well, musical!noreply@blogger.com (Rob Birdwell)Fri, 3 Apr 2026 00:49:18 -0700Blogger http://www.blogger.com231125https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/en-usno(c) Copyright Rob Birdwell and BirdwellMusic.comJazz,compose,arrange,The,Blowholes,Breathless,Void,Orchestra,BirdwellMusic,com,Trumpet,FlugelhornAll things musical from BirdwellMusic.com - syndicated tracks by Rob Birdwell: music, compositions, arranging, Jazz, educational materials, The Blowholes and more!All things musical from BirdwellMusic.com - syndicated tracks by Rob Birdwell: music, compositions, arranging, Jazz, educational materials, The Blowholes and more!Rob Birdwellrob@birdwellmusic.comRob Birdwellhttps://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2023/04/jeffries-tube-rendezvous.htmlmusicpopstar treksynthukuleleMon, 24 Apr 2023 16:33:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-415097127181254011 I had some fun with this one!Some backstory: in August of 2022 I had a surgery (for large acoustic neuroma). The surgery was successful and my facial nerve preserved. While I lost hearing in my left ear I'm still able to record (and frankly music has never sounded better!) but obviously I'm not so concerned with a stereo mix as much! For a time (maybe a couple months?) I wasn't sure if0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2021/06/quietly-new-album-from-rob-birdwell.htmlTue, 1 Jun 2021 16:38:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-7193432068092083775June 1, 2021 - My album "Quietly" is now available on Bandcamp.https://robbirdwell.bandcamp.com/album/quietlyQuietly should be available on all major streaming platforms later this month, with a limited number of CDs available sometime in July, 2021.There are additional track notes and audio clips available on my home page:https://www.birdwellmusic.com/music/quietly/0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2019/10/thataway.htmlTue, 15 Oct 2019 14:45:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-3377609144274829958This is a melodious and jazzy modern shuffle written for a young, developing ensemble. This chart is well-suited for middle school jazz bands and/or a high school group. The score and parts for Thataway are available on Sheet Music Plus! Scored for Trumpets 1, 2, 3, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax 1 & 2, Tenor Sax 1 & 2, Baritone Sax, Trombones 1 & 2, Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar. The 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2019/06/i-believe-in-dog.htmlmusicscoresMon, 17 Jun 2019 11:11:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-4246510072796947351"I Believe In Dog" is a symphonic work scored for full orchestra - the music is underscore for my poem/narration, "I Believe In Dog" - the score and parts/poem are now available on Sheet Music Plus! https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/i-believe-in-dog-digital-sheet-music/21322551?ac=1 Bella Bella was a loving member of our family for almost 16 years.  She lived a long and happy 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2019/06/halie-loren-in-bandon-oregon.htmlhalie lorenmusiciansSun, 9 Jun 2019 17:42:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-2154628939883405081 Pictured from left to right are: Rob Birdwell, Matt Treder, Sean Peterson, Halie Loren, and Larry Smith. Had the great honor to join Halie Loren and band for a performance at the Sprague Community Theater in Bandon, Oregon on June 7, 2019. Incredible audience and such a nice venue. The band this night was: Halie Loren - vocals, piano, ukulele  Matt Treder - piano, rhodes, vocals Sean 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2019/06/scores-and-parts-for-rob-birdwells.htmlmusicrob birdwellscoresSat, 1 Jun 2019 15:42:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-7473161458724333742Been busy working on new music, gigging and enjoying life! I'm in the process of migrating my scores/parts for my original and public domain works to Sheet Music Plus! The Sheet Music Plus service is a good fit for me, will save me time (more time for music!), and will hopefully expose my composing/arranging work (and even some of my songs!) to a much wider audience! St. James Infirmary Blues 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2016/12/letter-to-us-electoral-college-electors.htmlWed, 7 Dec 2016 18:23:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-3397317237709907061The following is my letter/email the the United States Electoral College Electors via http://www.asktheelectors.org/ - I'm posting it here because a number of Electors' email accounts are simply being inundated and may never be received.  I may also append Electors' replies as a matter of record - some of them appear to be respectful, while not particularly promising.  Still, it's 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2016/12/musings-on-energy-investments.htmlMon, 5 Dec 2016 19:40:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-1921900960554028040If you were looking to make energy investments in your community/region, where would you want your money to go? 1 mile of oil pipeline: $5 million* Maintenance costs: high Environmental costs: major Benefit to Humanity: short term at best, but at great risk to environment/climate 1 megawatt solar farm: $2.5 million (~5 acres) Maintenance costs: low to moderate Environmental costs: minor0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2016/02/corvallis-osu-symphony-final-frontier.htmlconcertsmusicFri, 19 Feb 2016 21:22:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-6480602673147314700 I have the honor, once again, to be part of another great Corvallis-OSU Symphony concert on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 3pm at LaSells Stewart Center.  For more information and tickets, visit the Corvallis-OSU Symphony web site. I'll be guest-conducting the following works: Star Wars Medley - music by John Williams Flying Theme from E.T. - music by John Williams  Star 0Corvallis, OR, USA44.5645659 -123.262043544.4740599 -123.423405 44.655071899999996 -123.100682rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2015/10/rob-birdwell-music-playlist-from-cd.htmlFri, 9 Oct 2015 16:30:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-1419959278766403547 Thanks for listening! More songs and music to come!0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-art-of-rant.htmlrantssongsTue, 11 Aug 2015 18:35:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-8615319746968402919 I don't understand this world we're livin' in how a billionaire blowhard would ever think best to be the President of all America      boom for the business     bust for the soul     I wanna let it all go...                      -Rob Birdwell (from the song "Let It All Go") Maybe the best rant is the one0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2015/07/wayward-dog-score-for-jazz-band-and.htmlscoresSat, 4 Jul 2015 11:03:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-523883261322970065I wrote Wayward Dog as a way to combine a jazz band and string orchestra.  Although scored for younger players, this chart will work particularly well for more advanced groups too. The Score and Parts for Wayward Dog are now available on Sheet Music Plus Directors: this chart is a great way to bring your jazz band and string orchestra together! Are you performing Wayward Dog? Please let0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2015/06/kanye-west-and-aiming-for-bushes.htmlTue, 30 Jun 2015 23:23:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-3103149645224683894Kanye West is a man of many talents and resources for sure.  However, his seemingly boundless confidence does, at times (especially like this), remind me of the scene in the 2010 film The Other Guys.  Two actors (who are only in the film's first few minutes) played by Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson, portray detectives with boundless confidence on the dangerous and mean streets. &0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2015/04/musescore-20-preferred-over-finale.htmlmusictechnologyThu, 30 Apr 2015 01:24:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-8956502975012734624 I've been a Finale user for many years - and I will be for many more to come.  However, it probably won't be my go-to music notation software for new projects.  I'm pretty much using MuseScore 2.0 for every new project these days - it does just about everything extraordinarily well, is reliable, feature rich and fits nicely with my own workflow and preferences. Here are my top 10 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2014/10/following-my-muse.htmlSat, 18 Oct 2014 01:09:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-3485510452855205202I've been in love with music for a long, long time.  I enjoy learning about it, listening to it, writing it, and of course performing it. I love the friendships, laughter and deep kinship I experience with fellow musicians. Music can serve as a refuge (the word "escape" sounds a bit negative, though it may very well be). Music opens up many conversations and causes me to think about the 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2014/09/musings-and-gigs-for-fall-2014.htmlBlue MacabregigsMon, 15 Sep 2014 23:32:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-8971991996332937692 Fall is fast approaching - here's a quick list of some of the gigs I have coming up: September 27 - Private gig with LMNO - see you if you're in on this! September 30 - Early Bird Jazz Band at Linus Pauling Middle School will start up our early morning sessions!  I direct this before-school program and it's a lot of fun! October 17 - The Svens at Imagine Coffee! 7:30pm October 18 - 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2014/08/download-song-my-muse-from-blue-macabre.htmlBlue MacabreFri, 15 Aug 2014 17:34:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-2631737962609700750 Download the complete track to "My Muse" here.  My Muse is the 3rd track from my forthcoming CD release, Blue Macabre.  It features me playing on everything: lead and backing vocals, keys & synths, flugelhorn and percussion.  A moody minor groove, the song is about losing and finding one's creative muse: my muse is hard to find can hardly call her mine where she goes I 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2014/08/blue-macabre-new-songs-by-rob-birdwell.htmlBlue MacabreSat, 9 Aug 2014 12:42:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-1440022017183018953 I'll be releasing a new CD on September 1, 2014 (on CDBaby). This is exactly the album I wanted to make - new and original songs that I love to sing; songs with horns (just about every track features my horn work either on trumpet, flugelhorn, tenor sax and for the first time even a little trombone); the songs all have deep meaning for me and I'm glad to finally be sharing them in this 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2014/06/swimming-upstream.htmlBlue MacabreMon, 9 Jun 2014 18:26:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-8848428022217429676It's always interesting when a song I wrote shares the same title with some other tune, book or movie.  My song "Swimming Upstream" shares the same title as this movie of the same name - well, since I love swimming (and swimming-related stories) looks like I'll need to watch this film! And last night while watching the Tony Awards (and dang if I don't wish I could somehow see every single 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2014/04/beautiful-moments.htmlBlue MacabreMon, 14 Apr 2014 15:46:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-4985801853720715173 A new recording and video featuring Dave Leslie on piano and myself, Rob Birdwell, on vocals.  Recorded "live" at Dave's studio near Portland, Oregon - enjoy! 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2014/03/rob-birdwell-performs-new-songs-via.htmlFri, 7 Mar 2014 00:22:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-2897460977884614461I'll be performing new songs via webcast from my home studio on Saturday, March 15 @ 5pm (west coast time).   Who:  Rob Birdwell When:  Saturday, March 15, 2014 Time:  5:00 pm (PDT) / 8:00 pm (EDT) Webcast Link:  http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/2797-rob-birdwell or click here! The webcast will not be taped – it's offered in real time. I hope you can join me!&0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2014/02/backing-up-music-projects.htmlabelton livebackupcarboniteDAWrantstechnologyThu, 6 Feb 2014 23:27:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-3511544700507708593Let's face it, hard drives fail and files get deleted.  As Forrest Gump once said, "Shit Happens." Imagine, if you will, that the device you are reading this blog post on - particularly if it's a laptop or desktop - suddenly melts down or is completely pulverized (and of course you are perfectly unharmed!).  Replacing the hardware probably won't be too expensive - chances are it was 0Corvallis, OR, USA44.5645659 -123.262043544.4740599 -123.423405 44.655071899999996 -123.100682rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2014/01/ventures-in-video.htmlTue, 7 Jan 2014 23:19:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-1703719937510553269Recently I've been learning a bit more about video editing.  In the past I've dabbled with (and continue to use) Adobe Premiere Elements, but recently gave Corel Video Studio a go and am very pleased with what I've been able to do with it so far.  I'm mostly an audio guy, so the tricks and workflow of video production are not native to me. I clearly have a long way to go and much to 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-musicians-perspective-on-html5-audio.htmlaudiohtml5musiciansThu, 26 Dec 2013 18:04:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-1675671632424790790 Where Can I Hear Your Music? Okay, so I've been a little lax on the blogging front.  My excuse?  I've been busy making music and performing!  So the music part of what I do would seemingly be pretty important.  But recently I was taking stock of my online presence and was a bit surprised at what I discovered: it sure was difficult to actually "listen" to any of my stuff 0Corvallis, Corvallis44.564568 -123.26205rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)https://birdwellmusic.blogspot.com/2012/05/5th-and-b-perform-at-cloud-and-kellys.htmlTue, 8 May 2012 10:32:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913251.post-4046362784769798399 5th & B will be performing in Corvallis this Saturday at Cloud and Kelly's on 1st St. They will be premiering a new suite composed by Mike Curtis inspired by his many visits to Mexico. Mike will also be reading from his book, Memories of a Musician in Mexico during the performance.  Show should begin around 9pm or so.  Music until midnight!   5th & B is a 0rob@birdwellmusic.com (Rob Birdwell)