Monthly Archives: February 2014

Varèse Sarabande Makes Holiday Magic With the Golden State Pops

by Linda A. Rapka

Varèse Sarabande Records closed out its yearlong 35th anniversary celebration with the Golden State Pops Orchestra with a heartwarming holiday concert at the Warner Grand Theatre Dec. 21.

Varèse Sarabande executive producer Robert Townson on stage with Maestro Steven Allen Fox, the orchestra, the evening’s featured performer vocalists, and flute soloist Sara Andon.
(Photos by Linda A. Rapka)

In honor of three and a half decades of releasing film music, Varèse Sarabande hosted a series of four concerts with GSPO during the orchestra’s 2012/2013 season. Produced and hosted by the label’s executive producer, Robert Townson, the December concert featured memorable scores from Hollywood’s holiday classics to seasonal film favorites.

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Meet Mike

From public service to music, Mike Davis does it all

by Linda A. Rapka

With a love of music almost as strong as his love for public service, Local 47 member Mike Davis has always sought to promote diversity through his work helping the community.

Born in North Carolina, Davis got his first taste of music singing in his church choir, later picking up the saxophone in the fifth grade.

Citing his mother, an educator, as an inspiration, his interests quickly broadened to include public service. Davis launched his career working as a public administrator in Los Angeles after completing graduate school here.

Courtesy of Mike Davis

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#listenLA spotlight: ‘House of Cards’

The Emmy-nominated score to the Netflix original series “House of Cards” features dramatic, atmospheric music from Los Angeles composer Jeff Beal

. house-of-cards-poster

“Of all of the places to record my scores, my #1 choice is always here in Los Angeles,” Beal says. “The L.A. studio players are experienced, smart and professional. They are quick, and agile at breathing life and drama into my work. Their musicianship comprises an intimate mastery of the techniques and skills required in today’s studio playing.”

The orchestra contracted for each session by David Low (who also plays cello) includes more than a dozen of Los Angeles’s premiere string performers whose rich artistry adds that extra something special to Beal’s intriguing scores.

Way to #listenLA!

Catch the new season debuting on Netflix Feb. 14.

Local 47 Office Closure 2/17/2014

AFM Local 47 will be closed on Monday, February 17 in observance of President’s Day.

Congratulations 2014 Grammy Winners!

The following 56th Annual GRAMMY® Award-winning recordings feature the talents of Los Angeles’s incredible AFM Local 47 musicians:

RECORD OF THE YEAR &
BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
‘Get Lucky’
Daft Punk

ALBUM OF THE YEAR &
BEST DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM
‘Random Access Memories’
Daft Punk

BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
‘Steppin’ Out’
Herb Alpert

BEST DANCE RECORDING
‘Clarity’
Zedd Featuring Foxes
Track from: “Clarity”

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
‘To Be Loved’
Michael Bublé

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
‘Radioactive’
Imagine Dragons
Track from: “Night Visions”

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE
‘Please Come Home’
Gary Clark Jr.
Track from: “Blak and Blu”

BEST R&B SONG
‘Pusher Love Girl’
Justin Timberlake
Track from: “The 20/20 Experience – The Complete Experience”

BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO
‘Orbits’
Wayne Shorter, soloist
Track from: “Without a Net”
(The Wayne Shorter Quartet)

BEST LATIN POP ALBUM
‘Vida’
Draco Rosa

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT
‘On Green Dolphin Street’
Gordon Goodwin, arranger
(Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
Track from: “NA”

ABC Drops ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Band

LOS ANGELES, CA (Feb. 6, 2014) — When “Dancing With the Stars” returns this March, the house band won’t be with it.

ABC and BBC Worldwide Productions announced this week that they will not have the 28 instrumentalists, singers, arrangers and copyists return for season 18.

The network did not announce a reason for the firings, but the American Federation of Musicians cites executive changes at ABC for the decision. The musicians union says the network put “pressure on ‘DWTS’ producer BBC Worldwide Productions to cut corners and pander to a younger viewing audience.” Continue reading →

A New AFM Local is Born!

Local 50 serves performers of regional Mexican music

by Ethan S. Harris

On Jan. 8, the newest Local in the AFM family was born in our own Local 47 Auditorium.

The acting members of the Executive Board of Regional Mexican AFM Local 50 took their oaths of office in front of approximately 20 new members. Also in attendance at the ceremony were Local 47 Vice President John Acosta, Organizer Ethan Harris, and AFM Assistant to the President for the Western United States, Ken Shirk.

AFM Assistant to the President for the Western United States Ken Shirk with the acting Executive Board members of the new non-regional AFM Local 50: Euler Torres (President), Ruben Fernandez (Vice President), John Anthony Diaz (Secretary/Treasurer), and Jesus Tucker (Executive Member-at-Large).

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