Monthly Archives: March 2025

AFM Local 47 3rd Annual Jazz Festival

We are thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival! The two-day concert series, celebrating AFM Local 47 Life Members, will take place on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 in our Captain Greg Welch Gathering Place.

Saturday, April 26
12 pm – The Hard Bop Ensemble
1 pm – Gina Kronstadt & the Winona Wyz Guyz
2 pm – Encore Saxophone Quartet
3 pm – The Witham Section
4 pm – Geoff Stradling & the StradBand
5 pm – LA6
6 pm – Darrell Leonard’s Line Up

Sunday, April 27
12 pm – Tony Jones Vocal Project
1 pm – Bonnie Janofsky Quintet
2 pm – The Eric Ekstrand Ensemble
3 pm – Six Beats Apart
4 pm – Steve Huffsteter Big Band
5 pm – Jennifer Leitham Trio

These performances are generously sponsored by the Music Performance Trust Fund and the American Federation of Musicians Local 47.

Final Note: Ray Kelley

Life Member. Cello
2/26/1938 – 3/4/2025

by Daniel Kelley

Ray Kelley had the cello career any musician would covet: a member of the Utah Symphony, Dallas Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, followed by decades of nonstop studio work during a golden era for records, jingles, live TV and motion pictures. But I would rather write about who he was. Continue reading →

Entertainment unions take to Sacramento to “Keep CA Rolling!”

This week, we traveled to Sacramento with over 100 entertainment union and guild members, all part of the Entertainment Union Coalition, to advocate for increased film and TV jobs across our state.

On March 4, we attended an Assembly Budget Subcommittee Hearing that focused on bringing production back to California through the Governor’s proposed expansion of the current incentive program, increasing funding from $330 million annually to $750 million annually. Continue reading →

Beware of “email spoofing” scam

Several Local 47 members have recently reported receiving emails from an email account appearing to be from President Stephanie O’Keefe, requesting an urgent reply. Some messages have included mention of “gift cards,” while others have simply asked for an immediate response for an unknown reason.

We want to warn everyone that these emails are a common “email spoofing scam” generated by a scammer targeting Local 47 members. We encourage all of our members to be mindful and watch out for such phishing attempts, NOT TO REPLY to these messages, delete them immediately, and block the sender.

Should you have any questions about this matter, or if you receive a suspicious message that mentions AFM Local 47 in the future, please email webmaster@afm47.org.

March 2025 Overture Online: Moving Forward Together

Inside This Issue:

Women’s History Month: Moving Forward Together
AFM Joins Entertainment Union Coalition to ‘Keep CA Rolling’
Member Spotlight: Lesa Terry
APALA Women’s Day Celebration: Saturday, March 15
Next Member Mingle: Friday, March 21
Congratulations 2025 Grammy Winners & Nominees!
Local 47 Brass Quintet Brings Joy of Music to Pasadena Fire Relief Center
Music Performance Trust Fund Announces 2025 Scholarships
Organizing Department Report: Reflecting on Solidarity
Australia’s MEAA Sends Statement in Solidarity With L.A. Musicians Affected by Wildfires
Musicians Support Striking Mental Health Workers
Mayor, AFL-CIO President Meet With L.A. Labor Leaders to Distribute Resources to Wildfire Survivors
Audition Notices: LA Chamber Orchestra, LA Opera, Modesto Symphony Orchestra
and more!

Browse our full Overture pdf archives here.

For special members-only Overture content — Executive Board minutes, CBAs, Local 47 Wage Scales, Bylaws, Suspended/Expelled member lists, and more — log in to your new E2 member account at ensemble.afm47.org and browse the “Overture” section on the Documents page. (New to E2? Visit our E2 FAQ here.)