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‘Blackfish’ Goes Live @ the Montalbán July 1

Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal to conduct world premiere performance live with Hollywood Chamber Orchestra

Hollywood Chamber Orchestra music directors Noah Gladstone and Mark Robertson announce that Emmy‐winning composer Jeff Beal will conduct the world premiere of his acclaimed score to the 2013 documentary film Blackfish, live-to‐picture, on Friday, July 1, 2016, at the Montalbán Theater in Hollywood. Purchase tickets here. Continue reading

Stamp Out Hunger on May 14

food drive puzzle poster

On May 14, members of the National Association of Letter Carriers will lead the country’s annual largest single-day food drive to help fight hunger in America! This year, we have the opportunity to break the Guinness World Record of 559,885 pounds set in 2011.

Our goal is to not only break that record, but to collect over one million pounds, which means we need your help! Every year, 21 million children go hungry, and through your contribution and assistance we have the power to change that.

For nearly 25 years, Labor Community Services and United Way of Greater Los Angeles have been at the forefront of collecting food and bringing out volunteers. Be part of history by registering your group or yourself to volunteer and contribute to the 2016 Food Drive by clicking here.

Final Note: Bill Henderson

bill-henderson-quartet_f_3_400_1Vocalist
3/19/1926 – 4/3/2016

Bill Henderson, jazz vocalist and actor, has died of natural causes in Los Angeles, California.

Born in Chicago in 1926, William Randall Henderson made his show business debut as a singer and dancer at age 4. His father taught him the value of singing softly. He spent his teens and twenties fluctuating between school, day jobs, and trying to make it as a singer. A stint I the army provided him an opportunity to work with Vic Damone, and in 1956 Henderson made his way to New York. The jazz community took notice and his break came the following year when he recorded “Señor Blues” for Blue Note Records. A jukebox hit, the recording stands as one of the biggest selling jingles in the label’s history. Continue reading

Gig Junction seeking “party bands”

Gig Junction logo

Gig Junction, the musicians referral service of Los Angeles, is currently seeking “Party Bands” to add to our referral service in order to provide our clients a variety of choices for party bands to hire.

Party Bands should be able to perform music from a variety of eras and styles catering to private parties, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc.

If your band fits this category, please contact Michael A. Ankney, Gig Junction Administrator, at 323. 993.3174 or email contact@gigjunction.com. Continue reading

May 2016 In Memoriam

David L. Belknap
Trumpet
8/2/1939 – 3/16/2016
Survived by spouse

Jack W. Eskew
Life Member. Trumpet
6/29/1940 – 2/6/2016
Survived by siblings

Arni E. Heiderich
Life Member. String Bass
6/25/1927 – 3/27/2016
Survived by children

Matthew J. Saporita
Life Member. Saxophone
4/28/1923 – 3/23/2016
Survived by children

Frank Sinatra Jr.
Life Member. Piano
1/10/1944 – 3/16/2016
Survived by mother

Newly reported:

Joel A. Scott
Piano
7/22/1956 – 10/5/2015
Survived by siblings

Bill Stroub
Life Member. Guitar
2/26/1926 – 6/16/2015
Survived by spouse & child

Make Labor Media Matter by May Day

labor_radio_web_graphic

Let’s bring the nation’s Labor Beat back!

A message from Workers Independent News:

For decades, the “labor beat” has been steadily disappearing from mainstream media sources. A systematic, and some would argue, intentional reduction in the perceived importance of the working class has created an environment of dismissal and even disdain for workers, as they are blamed repeatedly for America’s fiscal woes. Continue reading

Jazz Appreciation Month Featured artist 2016: ‘King’ Benny Carter

JAM Poster-2016 Benny Carter_022216_2Every April, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. selects a jazz icon to feature on the annual Jazz Appreciation Month poster. This year’s poster honors performer, bandleader, and
composer “King” Benny Carter.

A Lifetime Member of Local 47, Benny Carter — known simply as “King” to his fellow musicians — was a largely self-taught artist who became one of founding fathers of big band swing music. Early in his career, Carter arranged and composed scores for Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman, Chick Webb, and McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, as well as for his own highly respected orchestras. Continue reading

John Clayton: Playing it Cool

overture_mag

John Clayton is a natural born multitasker. The multiple roles in which he excels – composer, arranger, conductor, producer, educator, and extraordinary bassist – garner him a number of challenging assignments and commissions. With a Grammy on his shelf and eight additional nominations, artists such as Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, and Charles Aznavour vie for a spot on his crowded calendar. His many musical pursuits include the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, which he founded along with his brother Jeff in 1986, and the Clayton Brothers quintet, which includes his son Gerald on piano. As a teacher, in addition to presenting individual clinics, workshops, and private students as schedule permits, he directs the educational components associated with the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Centrum Festival, and Vail Jazz Party. Continue reading

AFM Local 47 Announces New Agreement Reached With Amazon’s ‘Transparent’

YES PRIDE FLAG

Producers at Picrow agree to hold musicians to fair industry standard

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 11, 2016) — The American Federation of Musicians Local 47 is pleased to report that an agreement has been reached with the producers of Amazon original series “Transparent” to cover musicians working on the show under a union contract.

Producers at Picrow swiftly agreed to sign on to the AFM television and new media agreement after musicians from the Los Angeles musicians union spoke out publicly late last month asking for “Pride for Musicians,” pointing out the unequal treatment of musicians who were not covered under a labor contract unlike all the actors, writers, directors, crew and other workers.  Continue reading