Life Member. Trumpet
1/3/1924 – 1/19/2016
by Judith Feierman, wife
Jack Feierman, a giant in the world of music who contributed as a player, composer, conductor and arranger to some of the most famous acts of the 20th Century, died at home on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at the age of 91.
He was known throughout the world of music as a consummate professional who always represented the best of the best. Continue reading
Life Member. Piano
(8/4/1928 – 1/13/2016)
by Jim Self, Life Member, AFM Local 47
On Jan. 13, 2016, Ron Kalina, one of my dearest friends and musical mentors, passed away peacefully at 87 in Palm Springs. In my early years in Los Angeles I was a busy bass player and, after the devastating strike in 1980, I relied a lot on bass gigs to pay the bills. I was also looking for a neat sound to make my first jazz tuba recording. One night I played a casual with this wonderful, swinging pianist Ron Kalina. Later in the evening he pulled out a harmonica and played great jazz while also comping with one hand on the piano. I was blown away by his sound and talent and thought, “wow, harmonica and tuba might be a really unique sound for a jazz band.” I needed a musical project to get me out of the doldrums of those down studio years and thought I could make an interesting jazz recording and maybe help me progress as a musician. Continue reading
Life Member. Trumpet
11/3/1924 – 1/19/2016
by Bob Alberti, Local 47 Life Member
Jack Feierman and I first met when we were both freelance studio musicians in the 1970s and often ended up on the same sessions. Our friendship was immediate and lasted through the years, even after I retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina. We often vacationed with Jack and his lovely wife Judith, on cruises from Alaska to the Caribbean, and during the 10 years I spent as pops conductor of the Hilton Head Symphony, whenever a strong lead trumpet player was needed I would arrange to have Jack flown out from Los Angeles to head up the brass section. Continue reading
Jim Nelson Tito’s Palace with the Marine Band
Former Life Member. Drums
5/21/1946 – 11/28/2015
by Chris J. Nelson
James Allen Nelson of Arlington Virginia, born on May 21, 1946 in Iowa. James passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 28, 2015. Continue reading
Douglas B. Craig
Life Member. Bassoon
12/14/1928 – 11/1/2015
Survived by friend & family
Richard (Dick) Gabriel
Life Member. Saxophone
10/1/1940 – 12/1/2015
Survived by spouse & children
Douglas G. Reeves
Life Member. Violin
10/24/1924 – 9/28/2015
Survived by spouse
Newly reported:
Johnny Mann
Life Member. Piano
9/30/1928 – 6/18/2014
Survived by spouse
Guitar
(7/31/1951 – 12/24/2015)
By Steve Carr
On Christmas Eve my dear friend Rick Fleishman departed this world after a 10-month battle with brain cancer. Rick was an intelligent, ethical and talented human being whom I met while working casuals some 36 years ago. Our friendship, along with musical and business partnerships, grew quickly. He was a great guitar player with whom I collaborated with on many jazz, pop and movie projects. But most of all he was a close friend who will forever be missed. He is survived by his loving wife Albina and loyal daughter Sara. There will be a memorial to him at the Musician’s Union Sunday afternoon, January 17.
Dick Gabriel gave decades of service to musicians, working originally at Local 47, and then for many decades for the American Federation of Musicians.
His gifts included an encyclopedic knowledge of AFM contracts, electronic media history and people.
Perhaps his greatest strength was his lifelong commitment to keeping his door open to working musicians.
Wilton Lewis Felder
Life Member. Saxophone
8/31/1940 – 9/27/2015
Survived by spouse
Helen Archuletta (Brown)
Life Member. Accordion
10/26/1924 – 9/12/2015
Survived by friends
Al Bruneau (Bruno)
Life Member. Guitar
1/22/1937 – 8/21/2015
Survived by spouse & children
Jimmy Getzoff
Life Member. Violin
3/22/1928 – 9/20/2015
Survived by spouse & children