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Rehearsal Rooms: New Backline Available

AFM Local 47 would like to thank our neighbor CenterStaging for generously donating four bass amps to our rehearsal room backline. A bass amp stack — from brands like Gallien Krueger, SWR, and TC Electronics — will now be stationed in Rooms 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. 

A huge THANK YOU to CenterStaging and coordinator Ryan Smith for helping our musicians rock on!

To book a room, visit afm47.org/rehearsals.

Rehearsal Rooms

Final Note: Serena Kay Williams

Life Member & AFM Local 47 Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus. String Bass
4/9/1921 – 10/4/2025

by Hal Espinosa, President Emeritus

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Serena. The last time I spoke with her at 103, she never skipped a beat. She sounded like she did while we were still officers at Local 47, still sounded bright, witty and happy. She was helpful to the membership, she was honest, responsible and duty-bound to her office. While I was getting my feet wet as the new vice president, Serena took me under her wing and made sure I knew and understood my leadership role. She was the glue that kept us all going in the right direction. Serena was a sincere and beautiful Lady, and I will miss her dearly!

Photo credit: Overture archival photo – Hal Espinosa with Serena Kay Williams on the evening she received the prestigious Grande Dame Award from the Industrial Relations Research Association, September 2005.

General Membership Meeting: October 27, 2025

In-Person Location: Captain Greg Welch Gathering Place, 3220 Winona Ave. Burbank CA
Virtual Location: Zoom

Open to all AFM Local 47 members in good standing.
Light refreshments will be served.

On the Agenda (subject to change):
• Approval of Minutes
• Special Election to Fill Vacancy on Salary Review Board
• Resolutions to Amend the Bylaws
• Officer Reports
• Committee Reports
• Unfinished and New Business
• Presentation of 50-Year Pins
Continue reading →

SOLIDARITY WINS: Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night

Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night After Massive Outcry Over Free Speech Concerns Causes ABC to Lift ‘Indefinite Suspension’

In the wake of ABC’s sudden “indefinite suspension” (and later reversal) of late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, which sparked outrage across the nation about threats to the First Amendment and free speech, Rep. Laura Friedman (CA-30) organized a press conference and rally September 22 near Kimmel’s taping location of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Continue reading →

Nominees Announced for AFM Local 47 2025 General Election

Alphabetical Listing of Nominees*

President & Delegate (1 seat):
Marc Sazer

Vice President & Delegate (1 seat):
John Acosta

Secretary/Treasurer & Delegate (1 seat):
Gail Kruvand

Trustee (3 seats):
Steve Dress
Alex Iles
Bonnie Janofsky
Phil O’Connor

Director (6 seats):
Allison Allport
Marcus Eley
Pam Gates
Lynn Grants
Aaron Smith
Meredith Snow

Hearing Board (7 seats):
Scott Higgins
Marisa McLeod
Allen Savedoff
Byron Sleugh

Delegate to the AFM Convention (3 seats):
Allison Allport
Bonnie Janofsky
Phil O’Connor
Meredith Snow

1st Alternate Delegate to the AFM Convention (1 seat):
Steve Dress

2nd Alternate Delegate to the AFM Convention (1 seat):
Pam Gates

* Candidacy eligibility of nominees named here are subject to final verification as per Local 47 Bylaws Article IX, Sections 2, 5, 6 and 7. The official list of candidates for the Local 47 General Election as approved by the Election Board will be published in the Election “Special Edition” issue of Overture to be published in November.

October 2025 Overture Online: SOLIDARITY WINS – Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night

Inside This Issue:

  • Cover Story – SOLIDARITY WINS: Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night
  • Voting at Next General Membership Meeting October 27: Special Election for Salary Review Board, Resolutions to Amend the Bylaws
  • Member Spotlight: Cleto Escobedo III
  • AFM Local 47 2025 General Election Updates: List of Nominees, Vote By Mail Absentee Ballot Request Form
  • LA Philharmonic Musicians Announce New Four-Year Agreement
  • Call to Action for Traveling Musicians Regarding P2 Visa Delays
  • Action Alerts: ‘We the People Are Rising’ March & Rally 10/4; Yes on Prop 50 Canvassing/Phone Banking; Food Bank Volunteers Needed
  • Esa-Pekka Salonen Returns to LA Phil as Creative Director
  • ‘Labor in the Pulpit’ Celebrates Historical Bridge Between Labor and Faith
  • Entertainment Industry Flex Plan / Local 47 H&W Plan Health Care Update
  • Final Notes: James A. Hampton, Joe Soldo
  • Audition Notices: LA Opera, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera
  • and more!

Continue reading →

Hollywood Labor Joint Statement on Jimmy Kimmel

The Hollywood unions — AFM, DGA, IATSE and SAG-AFTRA — issued the following joint statement after this week’s announcement that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was being suspended indefinitely by ABC:

“The indefinite removal of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ under government pressure is not an isolated incident. It is part of a disturbing trend of increasing interference in creative expression. This kind of political pressure on broadcasters and artists chills free speech and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of working Americans.

“When a private citizen, business, or television network bows to government intimidation, it strikes at the heart of our First Amendment rights. Creative artists must be free to do their work without fear that their careers or their family’s livelihoods will be disrupted simply for their opinions.

“These cases pull the rug out from under the hardworking American workers behind the scenes who make these productions possible. At a time when America’s film and television industry is still struggling due to globalization and industry contraction, further unnecessary job losses only make a bad situation worse.

“Finally, media companies have a responsibility to defend their workers and the integrity of the stories they tell. All broadcasters must stand firm in defense of free expression and the First Amendment, not capitulate to a policy of political appeasement.”

This statement follows similar statements released individually by AFM International President Tino Gagliardi, Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. Other unions and union groups that have released statements include the Producers Guild of America, Teamsters 399, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and the California Federation of Labor Unions.

AFM Statement in Response to ABC Taking ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Off the Air

American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada President Tino Gagliardi issued the following statement in response to ABC taking Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which employs musicians from Local 47 in Los Angeles, off the air:

“This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. This is state censorship. It’s now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It’s happening right here and right now.

“This act by the Trump Administration represents a direct attack on free speech and artistic expression. These are fundamental rights that we must protect in a free society. The American Federation of Musicians strongly condemns the decision to take Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air.

“We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of government overreach.”

Final Note: James A. Hampton

Life Member. Alto/Tenor Saxophone
12/5/1927 – 8/27/2025

James Hampton was born to Joe and Fredonia Hampton in Memphis, Tennessee December 5, 1927. The last surviving sibling of five (Joseph, Edna Earl, Mary and Mildred Hampton), he lived a long life filled with many joyful events and love. A brief look into his life is as follows:

A veteran who served in WW2, he always remembered to take care of his parents by sending $32 a month of his allotment while he was in the army. Continue reading →