Former Life Member. String Bass
3/1/1940 – 1/14/2017
By Stuart Aptekar
Herb developed a love of music throughout his life. An early friendship with Eddie Daniels continued to inspire Herb as he played bass in the Newport Youth Band and was hired in the Catskills Hotel house band with drummer Steve Schaeffer, who later joined Herb with Sarah Vaughn. By this time, Herb had concentrated his interest in jazz, having completed his first road trip to England with Peter Nero. Continue reading
11/10/1924 – 1/20/2017
Life Member. Saxophone/Flute/Clarinet
Andreas “Andy” Kostelas was born on November 10, 1924 to immigrant Greek parents, George and Mary. Andy grew up with two siblings in Sedalia, Missouri where he began his study of the clarinet as a student He began his professional career at age 16 where he performed at several local watering holes and dance establishments. Continue reading
Congratulations to all of the talented AFM Local 47 Los Angeles musicians, composers and music prep personnel who worked on this year’s Oscar-nominated projects! Continue reading
View our photo gallery and videos
Musicians marched alongside hundreds of thousands of fellow union members, community activists, and supporters in the Women’s March Los Angeles Saturday, January 21, 2017.
The Los Angeles demonstration — one of dozens of sister events throughout the nation and around the world held in tandem with the Women’s March on Washington, D.C. — centered around support not only for women’s rights, but for civil liberties, worker rights, healthcare, human dignity, and free speech. Event organizers stressed that the marches were not just for women or women’s issues but about issues with direct impacts on all citizens, and to show solidarity with those most at-risk under the current administration.
“I couldn’t not be here today,” said Dale Breidenthal, second violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. “We need to stand up for common decency for all humans.”
Led by a three-piece drumline, dozens of members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 marched alongside thousands of peaceful demonstrators from Pershing Square to City Hall. Musicians were joined by fellow union members and allies from the Writer’s Guild Association West, California Faculty Association from Long Beach State, Art Directors Guild I.A.T.S.E. 800, Campaign for Healthy California, Jewish Labor Committee Western Region and others.
Saturday, January 21, 2017Women’s March Los Angeles is open to everyone who stands for human rights, civil liberties, tolerance of diversity, and compassion for our shared humanity.
We stand together in solidarity for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families — recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.
Sign up to join with fellow AFM Local 47 members and supporters and march with us at the city’s largest grassroots mobilization around the inauguration on January 21!
The Recording Industries’ Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) fiscal year ends April 30. Now is the time for potential grant applicants to send in letters requesting assistance for your group, ensemble or orchestra.
Changes to the MPTF require that all grant applicants have a Federal ID number (e.g. non-profit organization, local business, etc.) and assume all employer responsibilities; Local 47 is no longer responsible for preparing the payrolls as in years past. Applicants accepted for an MPTF grant are responsible for direct payment to all musicians, including benefits, work dues and the proper filing of union reports with Local 47. Once all the necessary paperwork and proof of payroll is submitted to Local 47, the documents will be sent to MPTF headquarters in New York. Once verified and processed, your grant check will be mailed directly from MPTF. Continue reading
NAMM 2017 – Anaheim, California, January 19 – 22
Show your AFM pride and tell your AFM brothers and sisters who you are.
The International Musician will be at NAMM doing short AFM member testimonial videos for the afm.org website.
If you will be there and are interested in participating, please contact IM managing editor Cherie Yurco (cyurco@afm.org) to set up an appointment.
Thank you!
Professional Musicians, Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund
As the end of the year approaches and you prepare to enjoy the holidays with your family and friends, employers and participants should also be aware of the tax filings which are required. With these considerations in mind, the IRS has provided you with a gift, Notice 2016-70. Notice 2016-70, notified Participants that the IRS has extended the due date for health care providers, and employers, to provide covered persons the required tax forms. Continue reading