Gail Kruvand Elected New Secretary/Treasurer

At our April 24, 2023 Local 47 General Membership Meeting, Special Elections took place to fill five vacant offices. The first vote for Secretary/Treasurer yielded the following returns:

SECRETARY/TREASURER – 1 elected
Gail Kruvand – 52
Gary Lasley – 4

Kruvand assumed office immediately upon the completion of the ballot count announcement and certification by the Election Board during the meeting. Kruvand succeeds Danita Ng-Poss, who had served as Secretary/Treasurer since January 2021 until her resignation in January 2023. Continue reading →

Special Election results: Secretary/Treasurer, Hearing & Election Boards

At our April 24, 2023 Local 47 General Membership Meeting, Special Elections took place to fill five vacant offices. The results of voting are as follows: 

SECRETARY/TREASURER – 1 elected
Gail Kruvand – 52
Gary Lasley – 4

HEARING BOARD – 2 elected
Michael Arnold – 49
Marcy Vaj – 45
Leslie Baker – 15

ELECTION BOARD – 2 elected
Paul Castillo – 41
Clifford Tasner – 35
Oliver Theess – 26

Thank you to all nominees and members who participated in the Special Elections, and congratulations to all of our newly elected officials!

New Members Appointed to Hearing & Election Boards

Special elections for two vacancies each on the Hearing Board and Election Board were held at our April 24th General Membership Meeting. The results of voting were as follows:

HEARING BOARD – 2 elected
Michael Arnold – 49
Marcy Vaj – 45
Leslie Baker – 15

ELECTION BOARD – 2 elected
Paul Castillo – 41
Clifford Tasner – 35
Oliver Theess – 26

Thank you to all nominees and members who participated in the Special Elections, and congratulations to all of our newly elected officials!

Member Spotlight: William Roper

The musical experience of multi-disciplinary artist William Roper ranges from the symphony stage to free-improvisation groups. He has toured Europe, North and South America, and Japan as a soloist and with ensembles. His musicianship is represented on over 60 recordings, including 12 as leader and co-leader. He has played or recorded with numerous artists and ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Elton John, Leon Russell, Yusef Lateef, Michiyo Yagi, James Newton, Bobby Bradford, Francis Wong, Horace Tapscott, Anthony Braxton, Douglas Ewart, Daisuke Fuwa, Michael Vlatkovich, Vinny Golia, Wadada Leo Smith, Tim McGraw, Glenn Horiuchi and many others. In addition, he has played on several major motion picture soundtracks. Continue reading →

Spring 2023 Membership Drive

Spring Membership Drive: Spread the Word!

As a professional musician, you know that your real strength comes from working collectively with other musicians. Help spread the word about the benefits of union membership during our Spring Membership Drive!

If you know someone who should be in the union, now is the perfect time to join. From April 1 through June 30, new and returning members pay ZERO initiation fees — a $140 discount!

Learn more at afm47.org/join. Continue reading →

April 2023 Overture Online: First Annual AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival

Inside This Issue:

  • COVER STORY: First Annual AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival – Three-day concert series during Jazz Appreciation Month April 2, 16 & 23
  • Spring Membership Drive – Spread the Word!
  • Next General Membership Meeting: April 24
  • Member Spotlight: William Roper
  • Fair Share For Musicians Campaign Update
  • Behind the Scenes at the 95th Annual Academy Awards
  • ‘What is New Media?’ Podcast With FMSMF’s Kim Roberts Hedgpeth
  • Auditions: Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Monterey Symphony
and more!
 
 

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Final Note: Al Imbach

Life Member. Trombone
3/11/1938 – 2/28/2023

 Allen Edward (“Al”) Imbach, legendary Las Vegas and Los Angeles trombone player, arranger, composer, conductor and beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather and uncle, passed peacefully from natural causes on February 28, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada with his devoted son by his side. Al was 84 years old. Continue reading →

Behind the Scenes at the 95th Annual Academy Awards

AFM Local 47 musicians once played a featured role in Hollywood’s biggest night at the 95th Annual Academy Awards. Rehearsals and pre-records were held at Evergreen Studios in Burbank in preparation for the Oscars awards ceremony that took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 12, 2023.

Many thanks to harpist Gayle Levant for sharing these exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the rehearsals and live event!

View the musicians roster here: 95th Annual Academy Awards Orchestra

2023 Oscar Night at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood CA

Gayle Levant (harp)

Continue reading →

Final Note: Dennis Budimir

Life Member. Guitar
6/20/1938 – 1/9/2023

Honoring Dennis Budimir

by his daughter, Juliann Budimir

It is hard to give voice to the loss,
To give words to the ache that forever echoes in my heart since
My beloved Pop, Dennis Budimir, passed away in our arms,
My Mom and I at his side.

Dennis Budimir, beloved husband, father, and legendary jazz and studio guitarist, passed away on January 9, 2023. He was an incredible father to me and a loving, devoted husband to my mom. We are blessed by his eternal love. It is incredibly difficult to write about his passing and to put into words our monumental loss. Dennis Budimir’s musical biography is truly extensive; we are grateful to those who have documented his outstanding career and have given insight into his tremendous artistry. Continue reading →