Glenn’s Trumpet Notes

August 2026
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“Happy Songs Only!” for Happy Hour Audience at Aegis Living, Rodgers Park, Queen Anne, Seattle

Posted by glennled on August 17, 2026

Talk about a large, enthusiastic audience—that’s the treat I experienced when I performed my newest one-hour trumpet show, “Happy Songs Only!” at this impressive retirement community, Aegis Living, Rodgers Park, in Queen Anne, Seattle.

*Front Porch, Aegis Living, Rodgers Park, Queen Anne, Seatlle*

It was Happy Hour on Friday afternoon, 14 August. And about 50 residents came—roughly half of all those who live there!—and they sang along to 26 spirit-lifting songs. They also laughed at some jokes, and when I played “Y.M.C.A.,” they did the familiar arm-gestures. I played in the huge Living Room adjacent to The Mercantile, as arranged by Nash Henderson, Life Enrichment Director. We had a great time!

It was my first appearance here, and I’ve now performed at 44 retirement communities in the Greater Seattle area. (I’m marching toward 50.) I used four horns: trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn, and pocket trumpet, along with a couple of mutes and different mouthpieces to vary the sound.,

This facility is located about three blocks southeast of the Seattle Pacific University campus. Toward the south, it overlooks the Queen Anne Bowl Playfield within David Rodgers Park. It’s like living in a countryside estate within an urban neighborhood. Inside, the decor is elegant, inspired Victoria-style. Lovely!

This community offers five levels of care: assisted living, transitional care, memory care, respite/day stay, and hospice care. Please see Áegis Living Queen Anne Rodgers Park (Seattle, WA) — Assisted Living.

Among the amenities and services are these:

24/7 care
All-day dining
Onsite nurses daily
Salon
Fitness center
Movie theater
Pets
Pool
Sports den
Walking path
Nearby shopping and restaurants

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Photos courtesy of Aegis Living:

Photos by me:

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: Aegis Living Rodgers Park Queen Anne Seattle, cornet, flugelhorn, pocket trumpet, songs, trumpet, Y.M.C.A. | 2 Comments »

At Last, My “Showtune Favorites” Trumpet Show for the Residents at Edmonds Landing by Cogir

Posted by glennled on August 15, 2026

“Showtune Favorites” is the first trumpet show that I ever created and performed, and about 8.5 years later, on 10 August 2026, I finally performed it for the residents of Edmonds Landing by Cogir (Independent & Assisted Living in Edmonds, WA).

In this show, I perform two dozen hit songs from musicals and movies that were popular in the residents’ era. Those who remember the words will sing along, and others in the audience may hum the tunes as I play. Along the way, I tell some jokes, and after the show, I pass out a handout of 25 jokes, riddles, and limericks. In this case, a man in the second row from me leapt out of his chair, took the handouts, and distributed them to his peers for me. People often do that. It is so kind.

One lady came up to me with the joke handout in her hands and said, “This is what we need around here! Laughter. We need to laugh more! Thank you.”

The lady with the beautiful voice, who knew the words to every song, also came up to talk with me. She said how much she enjoyed singing those wonderful songs. I thanked her and praised her voice. Another lady, standing nearby, said hearing her sing was encouragement for others to sing, also. It was obvious she must have performed those songs in musicals in the past. That’s so much fun when a talented, experienced singer bursts out like that.

A man in his 90s said to me, “You have a nice embouchure.” I thanked him and said, “You must have played.” Yes, he played both trumpet and cello. Such an unusual combination, I thought. Must be a story there. “Then you can do the next show,” I said. Smiling, he passed.

Another man in his 90s, sitting in a wheelchair, was wearing a Korean War Veteran cap. His first career was 28 years in the U.S. Army in artillery. His second career was teaching at a junior college. His father had done the same—two careers, one in the Army and one teaching in college. Amazing. Fewer stories like that now. Changes.

You can see why I love playing music for such good people. I tell them, “I’m going to keep doing this as long as I’m able.” They say, “Do it,” and we grin.

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: cello, Edmonds Landing by Cogir, embouchure, music, musicals, singer, songs, trumpet, tunes | 1 Comment »

“In Retrospect” Trumpet Show at Edmonds Landing by Cogir—My 5th Performance There

Posted by glennled on July 17, 2026

*My setup with four horns and three mutes*

It’s not often that I perform on a Monday afternoon, but I got to do so at Edmonds Landing by Cogir on 13 July. The staff were so helpful and hospitable! The audience was so attentive!

We went on a musical journey into the past, as I played 21 songs that were written during the 84-year period, 1892-1976. I call this one-hour trumpet show “In Retrospect.” This was my fifth performance at Edmonds Landing.

Naturally, every song has a story or a message, so first I tell the audience what each song is about. If it was used in a movie that we all probably once saw, I’ll usually mention that. Sometimes I read a few lines of the lyrics, sometimes I sing them. Two songs—“When I’m 64” and “St. James Infirmary”— I play the entire song and then sing it. I use four horns: trumpet, pocket trumpet, cornet, and flugelhorn.

Edmonds Landing offers independent and assisted living services. Please see https://cogirusa.com/communities/edmonds-landing. Photos below are courtesy of Edmonds Landing by Cogir. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: cornet, Edmonds Landing by Cogir, flugelhorn, lyrics, pocket trumpet, songs, trumpet | 2 Comments »

Acoustic Alchemy Returns to Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle

Posted by glennled on July 14, 2026

*Acoustic Alchemy at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, 5 July 2026*

My wife and I returned to Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle to see and hear Acoustic Alchemy on Sunday night, 5 July, and it turned out that they were returning also, having played there many times for many years. The band was formed in England in 1981. I used to hear them on the soft jazz radio station while driving around the Greater Seattle area, doing residential real estate while I worked at John L. Scott on Mercer Island for 20 years.

Why that band, why that night? It was my wonderful birthday gift from my wonderful grandson, Isaiah, and his wonderful wife, Sequoia—“Happy Birthday to Me!”. All four of us had dinner at Jazz Alley! The band had been on tour for a month, and this was their last venue.

The band of five has no brass players—two guitars, bass, keyboard, and percussion. But in their discography, I see that in their 1990 album, Reference Point, they incorporated Randy Brecker as a guest artist (trumpet and flugelhorn). That album featured a cover of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five,” and the album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the New Age category for their track, “Caravan of Dreams.” One year later, they released Back on the Case, featuring Ludwig Gotz on trombone. Then again, in their 2007 album, This Way, they included a guest appearance by Rick Braun on flugelhorn. Also, in their 2001 album, AArt, Fayyaz Virji, trombonist, was featured. This album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

So, that’s another reason I like them—they’re outstanding, versatile, and experimental. They explore multiple genres and welcome other artists (not only brass but also piano, saxophone, harmonica, and vocal).

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Posted in Professional Concerts | Tagged: trumpet, band, jazz, brass, trombone, flugelhorn, guitar, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, Acoustic Alchemy, Grammy Award | 2 Comments »

Most Enthusiastic Audience Ever!–Celebrated 250th Anniversary of American Independence at Quail Park Retirement Community, Lynnwood

Posted by glennled on July 9, 2026

When I glissed up to the high Bb at the end of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and thus, to end my one-hour trumpet show, the audience went nuts, clapping, shouting, hooting and howling! It was my fourth performance at Quail Park Retirement Community in Lynnwood, and this time, the show was “I Stand for the Flag.” I was in my summer VFW Post 1040 Honor Guard uniform for the celebration of America’s 250th Independence Anniversary on the 4th of July. Hooray for our side!

In the past 8.5 years, I’ve performed at 43 different retirement communities in the Greater Seattle area, and I’ve never had a more enthusiastic, loud, proud, appreciative audience! That includes the staff, too, led by Dwi Parkinson, Life Engagement Director. They were exceptional on this grand holiday!

For this show, I always use all my horns—Getzen trumpet, Getzen bugle, Jupiter pocket trumpet, Super Olds cornet, and ACB (Austin Custom Brass) flugelhorn. The show consists of 24 patriotic marches, songs, and bugle calls.

Quail Park is quite large and includes both cottages and the main building (with two entrances) in a private setting. There is easy access to Alderwood Mall, downtown Lynnwood, I-5, I-405, and Everett. Its services include independent living, assisted living, enhanced assisted living, and memory care. Please see “Quail Park of Lynnwood Assisted Living Facilities, WA | Quail Park.

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: Austin Custom Brass (ACB), Getzen, Jupiter, Quail Park of Lynnwood, Super Olds, The Star-Spangled Banner, VFW Post 1040 Honor Guard | 2 Comments »

First Performance at Regency Newcastle: “I Stand for the Flag” Celebrates 250th American Independence Anniversary

Posted by glennled on July 5, 2026

*Veterans photo, courtesy of Regency Newcastle, Washington*

What an honor it was to perform “I Stand for the Flag” at Regency Newcastle on 3 July in celebration of America’s 250th Independence Anniversary! It was the first time I presented one of my 7 one-hour trumpet shows at this lovely facility. But it almost didn’t happen.

I arrived one hour early, dressed in my official summer uniform as VFW Post 1040 Bugler. But they were not expecting me! That’s never happened before. After some discussion, however, they accepted the fact that I had booked this date and time way back in January. So, we decided, the show must go on!

There was something else, too, that made this performance very unique and special. My good friend, Laurence Stusser, who lives nearby, came to listen. He ended up helping me by passing out the lyrics to the final six songs that close the show:

“The Navy Hymn” (“Eternal Father, Strong to Save”)
“This is My Country”
“America the Beautiful”
“God Bless America”
“You’re a Grand Old Flag”
“The Star-Spangled Banner”

He saw that I use five horns: Getzen trumpet, Jupiter pocket trumpet, Super Olds cornet, Getzen bugle, and ACB (Austin Custom Brass) flugelhorn. Beyond that, he gave me a gift for my Manhasset music stand and helped me re-load all my gear into my car. Laurence is an excellent trumpeter who is a member of about five bands—very busy man! He collects vintage horns.

Regency Newcastle offers independent living, assisted living, and respite care. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Photos courtesy of Regency Newcastle:

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: ACB (Austin Custom Brass) flugelhorn, bands, Getzen bugle, Getzen trumpet, Jupiter pocket trumpet, lyrics, Manhasset music stand, Regency Newcastle, songs, Super Olds trumpet, trumpeter, vintage horns | Leave a Comment »

Ooops! Late for a Trumpet Show? Yes, First and Only Time in 8.5 Years!

Posted by glennled on June 11, 2026

From having driven 25,000 miles a year all over the Greater Seattle area during most of my 37-year real estate career, I know how long it normally takes me to drive to Mercer Island from my home—only 30 minutes in light traffic (no slowdowns). So, on Saturday, 30 May, I left 45 minutes early, planning to arrive one hour before starting time. I was zipping along on I-405 until I neared Kirkland. Ooops! the freeway was closed at 85th. There was a mandatory detour due to a major construction project. All that freeway traffic jammed bumper-to-bumper onto the surface streets with all their stop signs, one-way signs, and traffic lights.

Photo by Adam Reger, Island House, Mercer Island

Five minutes before the show was due to start, I called ahead to Island House, Mercer Island to let them know I’d be late, and would someone please announce that it was due to the incredible traffic hangup, and apologize to the audience, and tell them I will be there within 10-15 minutes? I pulled into the parking garage one hour and 55 minutes after leaving home!

In eight and a half years of playing shows at 42 different retirement communities all over the Greater Seattle area, I had never been late. I had started every show on time. But here, by the time I set up my four horns, music stand, P.A. system, and displays, I got started about 20 minutes late, with no time to warm up. My fault. Should have known about the big construction project. I wonder how many other hundreds or thousands of drivers were offering their apologies, too, that day.

But the audience was forgiving, attentive, and polite, as I performed one of my seven one-hour trumpet shows called “In Retrospect.” Its 24 songs prompt the audience to reminisce about their lives and remember where they were and what was happening when those songs were popular. And more than that, each song tells a story or sends a message or both.

For example, the song “I’ve Got the World on a String” is about someone who’s in love and is ecstatic. We’ve all felt that. And “Stormy Weather” is about disappointment and rough times. We’ve all experienced that. And “What a Wonderful World” sums it all up: “I hear babies cry, I watch them grow; they’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know, and I think to myself, what a wonderful world. Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”

It was my second appearance at Island House, M.I. I used my Getzen trumpet, Super Olds cornet, Jupiter pocket trumpet, and ACB (Austin Custom Brass) flugelhorn.

Island House, M.I. offers assisted senior living and short-term stays (please see Senior Living in Mercer Island, WA | Island House) in studio, one-, and two-bedroom units. It is part of the MBK family of retirement communities located in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado (www.mbkseniorliving.com).

Photos are courtesy of Island House, M.I. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: ACB (Austin Custom Brass) flugelhorn, Getzen trumpet, Island House Mercer Island, Jupiter pocket trumpet, MBK Senior Living, songs, Super Olds trumpet | 2 Comments »

First Performance at The Creekside in Woodinville

Posted by glennled on June 9, 2026

*The Creekside, Woodinville (one of two buildings)*

With my performance of “Happy Songs Only!” on 19 March at The Creekside, I’ve now penetrated Woodinville for the first time—it’s No. 1 for me in that city! And on my list of retirement communities in the Greater Seattle area where I’ve performed, it’s No. 41.

When I arrived, I was ushered into an intimate room for the show, “Happy Songs Only!” It consists of 26 spirit-lifting songs. And these two songs are good samples of the repertoire of this show: “Keep on the Sunny Side of Life” (1899, written during the recession) and “Cheek to Cheek” (1935, written during the Great Depression). People sang along or hummed the tunes. For this show, I used only four of my five horns: trumpet, pocket trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn. What a lively audience! They interacted with me and each other. That is so fun.

The lifestyle choices at The Creekside are independent living and short-term stays. For details, including floor plans and prices, please see Downtown Woodinville, WA Senior Living | The Creekside.

The Creekside is an MBK Senior Living community (please see MBK Senior Living | Senior Living). MBK has communities at six locations in Washington: Woodinville, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Seattle, Mountlake Terrace, and Olympia. In total, there are 38 MBK communities in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.

Photos are courtesy of The Creekside. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: cornet, flugelhorn, MBK Senior Living, poscket trumpet, The Creekside, trumpet | Leave a Comment »

“Happy Songs Only!” at University House, Wallingford in Seattle

Posted by glennled on June 8, 2026

It was great to come back—this was my fourth performance at University House, Wallingford (UHW) in Seattle. I returned on Friday, 29 May, to present my one-hour trumpet show, “Happy Songs Only!” It’s a collection of 26 spirit-lifting songs that are very familiar to the residents of retirement communities. I used four horns in this performance–my trumpet, cornet, pocket trumpet, and flugelhorn. Two residents at the show told me they also play trumpet!

My previous performances were all of my show, “I Stand for the Flag,” on or about Memorial Day and Veterans Day in 2019, 2021, and 2022. I now have 7 different trumpet shows and am working a new one to premier in 2027.

UHW has a very pleasant, spacious lobby and Olympic Auditorium (see photos). UHW was developed in 1997 by Eli and Rebecca Almo, real estate developers specializing in retirement communities. They now have a family of 8 such communities in the Greater Seattle area (please see http://www.eraliving.com). The sister community to UHW is University House, Issaquah (please see my blog post of 30 March 2019). Both communities have affiliations with the UW Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work and the UW Retirement Association for the benefit of their residents. There is an emphasis in their programs and services on a “lifetime of learning.” Please see http://www.eraliving.com/about/health-wellness-partnerships/.

UHW offers independent and assisted living care services. It has 146 maintenance-free, senior residences in one or two-bedroom floor plans, ranging from 530 to 1,040 sq. ft. Please see http://www.eraliving.com/communities/wallingford/floor-plans/.

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: cornet, flugelhorn, horns, pocket trumpet, songs, trumpet, University House Wallingford | Leave a Comment »

Memorial Day – “Echo Taps” at Two Ceremonies at Two Locations at Two Times

Posted by glennled on May 28, 2026

*Memorial Day Ceremony, Lynnwood, 2026, hosted by VFW Post 1040*

I’ve been sounding “Taps” or “Echo Taps” at morning ceremonies every Memorial Day since 2011, but this year for the first time, I also got to do so in the afternoon. As VFW Post 1040 Bugler, I sounded “Echo Taps” with my partner, Eduardo Gomez Luis, at the ceremony at Veterans Park in downtown Lynnwood at 11 a.m. Then at 3:00 p.m., as a member of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Sno-King Chapter 423, I again sounded “Echo Taps” with Eduardo at Floral Hills Cemetery, also in Lynnwood, east of the I-5 freeway. Eduardo is a junior at Lynnwood High School and a trumpeter in the band. I used my Getzen bugle, and Eduardo used his Yamaha trumpet.

And at Veterans Park in the morning, I also sounded two other bugle calls: “Assembly” to call the ceremony to order and “To the Color” as the flag was raised to full mast at noon. What a fulfilling day for this bugler!

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

At Veterans Parks, hosted by VFW Post 1040: