Please join us at our Grand Opening celebration to commemorate our new Burbank headquarters on the evening of Monday, May 21, 2018, from 5-8 p.m.
To learn about sponsorship opportunities, please email Karen Godgart at kgodgart@afm.org.
Walter C. Becker
Life Member. Bass
2/20/1950 – 9/3/2017
Survived by spouse & children
William Calkins
Life Member. Saxophone
9/28/1921 – 1/13/2018
Survived by spouse & son
Bill Hughes
Life Member. Copyist
10/31/1932 – 2/1/2018
Survived by family
Alvin M. Mills
Life Member. Violin
2/2/1922 – 9/19/2017
Survived by family
Dave Oyler
Life Member. Copyist
11/26/1945 – 1/2/2018
Survived by sister
W.Z. Taubenson
Life Member. Trumpet
2/16/1924 – 12/30/2017
Survived by friends
Miles F. Zentner
Life Member. Flute
10/26/1939 – 3/16/2017
Survived by spouse & children
FEBRUARY 27, 2018: Today is the Operation: #OneMoreVote day of action to save net neutrality, and there needs to be a massive outcry from Americans across the country to stop Ajit Pai and the FCC from handing over control of the internet to companies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T.
Despite enormous public opposition, the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality has officially been entered into the Federal Register. Now the Senate must act in the next 60 days to stop the repeal and save the internet or big cable companies will have the control over the internet they’ve always wanted.
As shared by Digital Music News:
Today, to make a living, you (or your band) may sell, distribute and promote your music. Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music may offer subsistence, but direct online sales of merchandise and concert tickets may offer a bigger payout.
If (and when) the FCC eliminates net neutrality rules, larger companies could easily lobby for “premium prioritization.” This means that consumers would have to pay more to access their favorite sites. Your website may not make the list.
American ISPs would likely sell consumers faster access to sites. Larger companies would quickly divert traffic away from smaller, independent websites that help musicians. Popular social media networks, including Facebook and Twitter, could easily charge musicians more to promote their music.
Independent musicians, DJs, producers, and bands, meanwhile, would face rapid marginalization. Major music labels could pay Facebook to promote big-name artists like Taylor Swift and Adele. Users on these platforms, and even on video services (YouTube, Vimeo), would constantly see ads for these big names.
Indie artists could face an uphill battle just to get noticed.
Net neutrality is too important to the future of our democracy to give up now. We cannot back down and we have a real shot at saving the internet if we band together and take action.
Take action right now to protect the future of the internet!
Enjoy this Valentine’s Day playlist of today’s top love songs recorded with Los Angeles AFM Local 47 musicians, courtesy of #ListenLA:
From President John Acosta’s February 2018 report:
As we continue our “47 Strong” campaign, you will see an increased union presence in the workplace. From recording sessions to the theater pit, Local 47 reps are out and about connecting with our membership on the issues that are important to you.
While we tell you about the initiatives we are embarking upon – from music tax credits, to fair pay in live performances– it’s also important that we know what the union can do to help you on the job.
If you want to help us organize an event at your workplace, covering anything and everything that affects your work, please contact our Organizing Coordinator Jefferson Kemper: 323.993.3143, jefferson.kemper@afm47.org.
AFM Local 47 is happy to announce that negotiations with the LA Clippers organization are completed, and we now have a new agreement that will cover all professional musicians — from the house organist to the halftime entertainment. Continue reading
In case it slipped you by, Annual and Semi-Annual Membership Dues were due January 1. You have until March 31 (within the 3-month grace period) to pay before your membership lapses into suspension.
Don’t let that happen! Avoid penalties and renew today:
Now accepting American Express!
Log in to your member account and click the “Make a Payment” tab.
You may also pay by mail by sending a check or money order in the return envelope provided in your paper renewal notice. To make a payment by phone, please call 323.993.3116.
Rhythm Club President, Marl – pictured with Musicians’ Club Secretary Maury Paul (left), NAACP Secretary Lester Bailey (standing, center) and Rhythm Club Secretary Estelle Edson (right) – signs the final document transferring Local 767 Rhythm Club assets to the Local 47 Musicians’ Club of Los Angeles in March of 1953, marking the final step in the amalgamation of the two Locals. (Photo: AFM Local 47 Overture archives)
Throughout his esteemed career, Marl Young was known for breaking ground. A civil rights leader within the American Federation of Musicians, he was instrumental in the historic merger of the former all-black Local 767 and all-white Local 47 in the 1950s, which set the precedent for desegregation within the entire musicians union of the United States and Canada. In 1970 he became the first black music director of a major network television series, “Here’s Lucy.” Young served as a longtime director of the Los Angeles musicians union and remained an activist until his retirement in January 2009. He died on April 29, 2009, at age 92. Continue reading
Overture Online
FEBRUARY 2018
Jazz in Schools Turns 30
Black History Month program enters third decade of enriching lives through music
#listenLA: Awards Season 2018
Los Angeles musicians win big in the 60th annual Grammy Awards; Oscar noms are in!
Black History Month
Exploring the vital role of music in black history
California Jazz Foundation to Honor Local Jazz Heroes
Save the date to celebrate two of our own: Dr. Bobby Rodriguez and the late Buddy Collette
and more!
FREE DOWNLOAD:
Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. For those without access to a smart device, this issue may be viewed on a web browser. Local 47 members may download archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.