April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and to celebrate, AFM Local 47 is launching our first-annual Jazz Festival! Continue reading
Inaugural AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival
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‘Civil Rights are Forever Right’ LA Fed 2023 MLK Breakfast
After a two-year hiatus, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor was able to host the 2023 Annual MLK Breakfast live and in person, with all of the movement’s greats in one place, at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on January 14. Continue reading
General Membership Meeting: April 24, 2023
Open to all AFM Local 47 members in good standing.
On the Agenda (subject to change):
– Special Election to Fill Vacancy for Secretary/Treasurer
– Special Election to Fill Two Vacancies on the Hearing Board
– Special Election to Fill Two Vacancies on the Election Board
– Presentation by Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, Executive Director, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund
– Presentation of 50-Year Pins
– Officer Reports
– Old and New Business
The Legislative Committee as proponents have voted unanimously to table the proposed amendment of Article IV, Section 10 regarding Life Membership that was to the be presented at the April 24, 2023 general membership to be postponed until the next general membership meeting on July 24, 2023.
As of April 11, 2023, AFM Local 47 no longer requires proof of Covid-19 vaccination for those entering the AFM Local 47 Capt. Greg Welch Gathering Place and rehearsal rooms. Vaccination against Covid-19, masking, and testing — when recommended per CDC guidelines — are strongly encouraged.
Continue reading
House of Labor Unanimously Passes Resolution in Favor of Union Musicians
At the Feb. 27, 2023 House of Labor meeting of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, delegates voted unanimously in favor of a resolution put forward by AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe calling for all musicians hired for LA Fed events to be union musicians.
Further, the resolution calls for the LA Fed to ask all constituency groups and the California Federation of Labor to pass a similar resolution. Continue reading
Hal Blaine Strikes Again! Legendary Wrecking Crew drummer receives star on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars
Photo by Lucius Gallo. “The Wrecking Crew!” filmmaker Denny Tedesco (son of guitarist Tommy Tedesco), drummer Clem Burke (of Blondie fame), Hal’s nephew Michael Kravitz, and fellow Wrecking Crew keyboard legend Don Randi.
by Linda A. Rapka
Legendary Wrecking Crew drummer and Local 47 Life Member Hal Blaine posthumously received his star on the Walk of the Stars Palm Springs at a convivial ceremony on February 6, the day after what would have been his 94th birthday. Continue reading
March 2023 Overture Online: Music in Our Schools Month
Inside This Issue:
- COVER STORY: GRAMMY Museum Announces Music in Our Schools Month
- #WhyUnion? Share Your Answers!
- Member Spotlight: Hal Blaine Strikes Again! Acclaimed drummer receives posthumous star on Palm Springs Walk of Stars
- Announcing the Inaugural AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival
- LA Fed Passes Resolution on Union Music; Names New AFM 47 Delegates
- American Music Fairness Act Reintroduced in Congress
- Auditions: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
and more!
Final Note: Michael Grego
6/26/1957 – 2/3/2023
Life Member. Clarinet
by Larry Hughes
Michael Grego was my dear friend on and off the stage for nearly 40 years. A great human being in every way. Continue reading
Final Note: Michael Grego
6/26/1957 – 2/3/2023
Life Member. Clarinet
Michael Grego, clarinet, passed away on February 3, 2023. Michael was born in Montebello, CA, attended St. Stephen School in Monterey Park, and graduated from Loyola High School in 1975. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 from Loyola Marymount University. He graduated with a Master of Music in 1983 and a Doctor of Musical Arts in 1991, both from USC. He attended the Music Academy of the West where he studied with his principal teacher, Mitchell Lurie. Continue reading
Member Spotlight: Raphael Saadiq
Singer, record producer and songwriter Raphael Saadiq has produced tracks for a number of R&B heavyweights, such as Mary J. Blige and John Legend, as well as releasing a number of critically-acclaimed records, both as a member of Tony! Toni! Toné! and as a solo artist.
Listen to our #AFM47 Raphael Saadiq Playlist on Spotify Continue reading
Congratulations 65th Annual GRAMMY Nominees & Winners!
Congratulations to everyone whose work can be heard on these GRAMMY-nominated tracks and albums, recorded under AFM union contracts filed with AFM Local 47! (2/7/2023: List updated w/ winners)