Tag Archives: final note

Final Note: Rosita Duchesne Mallah

Rosita performing for Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward

Life Member. Latin & Brazilian Percussion/Vocals
12/9/1924 – 4/3/2019

Rosita Duchesne Mallah was born December 9,1924 in Cayey, Puerto Rico. She joined the Los Angeles musicians union, AFM Local 47, in 1961 and remained a member until her passing. She was a staunch supporter of the Musicians Union, and her late husband was Charles Mallah (guitar, bandleader), who had served on the Local 47 Executive Board for many years. Continue reading

Final Note: Dorothy Compinsky

Former Life Member. Violin
11/13/1923 – 10/3/2018

Dorothy Compinsky (November 13, 1923 – October 3, 2018), was a violinist and teacher and a life member of Local 47. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho.  Her father was a railroad worker who played violin and banjo, and so introduced her to the joys of music.  Her mother played piano and was a school teacher for a time, and later became a professional dressmaker.  Continue reading

Final Note: Leon Ndugu Chancler

Life Member. Drum Set
7/1/1952 – 2/3/2018

by Washington Rucker, Life Member, AFM Local 47

We have lost a giant in the music world, and more directly, a great musician.

My best friend, Ndugu Chancler, was one of only a hand full of drummers who could be recognized by a single name: Ndugu. His moniker was well deserved and well earned. He stood tall among the genre of drummers who spring up… and he stood atop most of them. Continue reading

Final Note: Todd Lybrand Hemmenway

Member. Cello
9/18/1949 – 11/27/2016

by Susan Cuscuna

Todd Lybrand Hemmenway, cellist, passed away after a brief battle with cancer, on November 27, 2016, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He was raised in Northern Virginia and Cape Cod, studied the cello with Orlando Cole at the New School of Music in Philadelphia, and enjoyed his thirty year career in Los Angeles as a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and as a studio musician recording the scores of many films particularly with John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Randy Newman.  He leaves behind his beloved son, Sam; wife, Susan; brother Scott and sisters Clare and Dana.

 

Final Note: Bobby Bruce

Life Member. Violin
(1925 – 2018)

Bobby Bruce (Robert Morris Berg) was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father owned a fruit market and his mother Rosie was a comedian and entertainer, performing at several theaters in the Chicago area. Bobby began violin lessons at age 6, and by the age of 9 he would do acrobatics, tap dance, sing and play violin on stage in a Vaudeville act called the Personality Kids on the Keith Orpheum circuit with his mother and older sister Eileen. Continue reading

Final Note: Nunzio ‘Norman’ Panto

Life Member. Accordion
(1929 – 2018)

Nunzio “Norman” Panto, passed peacefully in Thousand Oaks, CA on Feb. 24, 2018 at the age of 88.

Norman is survived by his son Frank and daughter-in-law Julie. He is also survived by his loving sisters-in-law, Sarina Roccisano and Anna Valeri. He will also be missed by his beloved nieces and nephews, their children and the rest of the family and all the friends he has made over the years. Continue reading