Thomas Stevens
The Center for Advanced Musical Studies is delighted to announce the Thomas Stevens Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship for young trumpeters who embody the musicality, educational drive and compassion of the brilliant trumpeter, composer, pedagogue, and friend Thomas Stevens (1938-2018). Continue reading
by Linda A. Rapka
A self-proclaimed torchbearer for its uniquely innovative hybrid art, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra proudly stands as the only orchestra in the nation dedicated solely to blending the worlds of jazz and classical music. Since its founding in 2001, the 67-piece orchestra has commissioned 13 new works and performed seven world premieres, along with three U.S. premieres. Each year SJO presents a free symphonic jazz concert for the community at the Carpenter Performing Arts center at Cal State Long Beach, and this year’s concert in March included a rare arrangement of “Rhapsody in Blue” with Grammy Award-winning pianist Bill Cunliffe. Continue reading
Jerry Sharell, his son Jeff and Vice President Rick Baptist in front of the Frank Sinatra mural at AFM Local 47.
One fateful night in 1980, AFM Local 47 member Jerry Sharell jumped on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity thanks to his friend, Nancy Sinatra. The daughter of legendary “Rat Pack” performer Frank Sinatra invited Sharell to her father’s concert at Los Angeles’ Universal Amphitheater, where he performed with full orchestra. Continue reading
On March 28, 2019, AFM Local 47 musicians, caregivers, elected officials, and community leaders joined members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West at a rally at Cedars-Sinai to support their fight to protect their bargaining rights and voice on the job. Continue reading
Robert Hioki (trombone), Dave Reagan (President, SEIU-UHW), Tony Jones (leader/drums), and Dan Weinstein (trumpet).
On March 28, AFM Local 47 musicians, caregivers, elected officials, and community leaders joined members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West at a rally at Cedars-Sinai to support their fight to protect their bargaining rights and voice on the job.
Along with the rally, SEIU has unveiled a series of billboards throughout Los Angeles calling out Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s excessive profits and CEO compensation, at the same time the hospital provides one of the worst levels of charity care in the city. The 959-bed facility employs a staff of 2,000 physicians and 10,000 other workers. Of the more than 1,800 workers who are members of SEIU-UHW, their contract with Cedars-Sinai expired March 31, 2019.
India.Arie Simpson is among a small class of post-millennial R&B artists more likely to recall the likes of Roberta Flack and Bill Withers than almost any given artist played by urban contemporary radio stations. Continue reading
The Rochester Music Hall of Fame announced the 2019 inductees for this year’s ceremony, and among them are two Life Members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47.
Beach Boys founding member, guitarist and vocalist Al Jardine, and 11-time Emmy Award-winning composer and producer Jack Allocco, will be along those inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame at the 8th annual induction ceremony on April 28. Continue reading
Another Awards Season is behind us, and what a season it was! This was a big year for members of AFM Local 47, with several of our musicians winning awards, receiving nominations, and having contributed to making the music recordings that contributed to some of the biggest hits of 2018. Continue reading
Recorded at Sony Pictures, Culver City, California, August of 2018, this piece, composed and conducted by Kevin Kaska, was performed by the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles — all members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47. Continue reading
Today is International Women’s Day, and we salute all of the strong and talented women in music whose artistry moves, encourages, and inspires.
Many influential women in the music industry paved the path for future generations of female empowerment, and the cycle keeps on going as more female voices stand out from all genres.
To all of our incredible AFM Local 47 empowered union musicians: We honor and celebrate you, today and every day.