Life Member. Violin
6/17/1947 – 7/11/2019
by the LA Philharmonic Association
Jerry Epstein, former violist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, passed away on July 11, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Continue reading
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
Former Member. Trombone
2/12/1924 – 1/25/2019
Ray Victor, musician, actor, lyricist and writer passed January 25, 2019. Ray was born Ray Moreno Vasquez February 12, 1924. He was 94 years old, and two weeks shy of 95. Continue reading
Life Member. Saxophone
4/26/1931 – 12/12/2018
Cecil Dale Hill was born in San Antonio, Texas, April 26, 1931. He passed away December 12, 2018. He was a father of six children and is survived by his beloved wife Margaret. He had nine grandchildren. And the great-grandchildren are still coming! Continue reading
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
Life Member. Bass & Fender Bass
11/14/1934 – 4/28/2018
On April 28, 2018, Ted Hughart died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and friends.
He had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig’s disease. Continue reading
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
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.
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
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