August 11, 2017 – The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association (LA Phil) and American Federation of Musicians Local 47, AFL-CIO, today jointly announced agreement on a new five-year labor contract, effective September 18. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Musicians Rickey Minor (‘American Idol,’ Grammys), Siddhartha Khosla (‘This Is Us’) and special guests to perform live in support of Music Scoring Tax Credit Bill AB 1300
Rickey Minor
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 3, 2017) — Los Angeles film and television musicians will perform a free concert at City Hall on Saturday, Aug. 19 to raise awareness of AB 1300, the Music Scoring Tax Credit Bill aimed at bringing more of this work to California.
Keeping the Score in California, a free concert and media event sponsored by the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, will feature live performances by Emmy-nominated music director Rickey Minor (“American Idol,” Grammy Awards, Super Bowl Halftime Show); Siddhartha Khosla, composer for the hit TV series “This is Us” recently nominated for 11 Emmys; and special surprise musicians to be announced. Continue reading
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 20, 2017) — Today Healthy California launched first in a series of “Schoolhouse Rock!”-inspired music videos created by a Los Angeles musician in support of the Healthy California SB 562, a bill that will create a single-payer system that guarantees healthcare for all Californians.
Created by Los Angeles composer and lyricist Clifford J. Tasner, a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, the retro-themed video titled “Middleman” points out the flaws of our broken healthcare system by taking aim at greedy health insurance companies responsible for the rising cost of medical care. SB 562 would create a “Medicare for All” system in that includes medical, dental, vision, reproductive, and mental health for all Californians. Continue reading
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 13, 2017) — As California suffers an exodus of film and television music jobs, musicians are battling offshoring head-on with a new bill that would boost the state tax credit for foreign productions.
AB 1300, recently introduced by Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, would bring the success of the California Film & TV Tax Credit Program to musicians and the scores that are an integral part of every motion picture and TV project. Continue reading
Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (13th District) speaks about the great value musicians give to the community at the inaugural AFM Local 47 Lifetime Achievement Awards on April 24, 2017. (Photo: Liska Yamada)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
download pdf
Esteemed members of the Los Angeles musicians union honored at inaugural event
LOS ANGELES, CA (APRIL 26, 2017) — More than 200 musicians gathered on the evening of April 24, 2017, to celebrate a new tradition honoring esteemed members of the Los Angeles musicians union at the inaugural American Federation of Musicians Local 47 Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Acclaimed musicians Gene Cipriano (woodwinds), Vincent DeRosa (horn), Louise DiTullio (flute), Carol Kaye (electric bass), and Dick Nash (trombone) were recognized during the ceremony, held at the AFM Local 47 Serena Kay & Earl Williams Auditorium in Hollywood, for their outstanding achievements and support of the artistic community of Los Angeles.
Kickoff event to recognize esteemed members of the Los Angeles musicians union
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(download pdf)
LOS ANGELES, CA (APRIL 10, 2017) — The American Federation of Musicians Local 47 is pleased to introduce the first AFM Local 47 Lifetime Achievement Awards honoring esteemed members of the Los Angeles musicians union.
Celebrated musicians Gene Cipriano (woodwinds), Vincent DeRosa (horn), Louise DiTullio (flute), Carol Kaye (electric bass), and Dick Nash (trombone) will be recognized on the evening of April 24 for their outstanding achievements and support of the artistic community of Los Angeles. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES (March 16, 2017) — STATEMENT FROM AFM LOCAL 47 PRESIDENT JOHN ACOSTA ON WHITE HOUSE PROPOSAL TO CUT NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS:
“Music brings people together; it touches our hearts and it moves us in ways that are difficult to quantify. The White House’s proposal to drastically cut the National Endowment for the Arts is misguided and poorly considered. It will have a negligible impact on the federal budget, but it will have a palpable impact on communities across the country.
“On average, every dollar the national endowment awards triggers nine dollars in matching funds from state, local, and charitable contributions, making it one of the most effective federal agencies we have. The programs funded by the NEA help promote arts and music education for underprivileged youth and they help bring programs to communities that can’t always support the arts on their own.
“At the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, we want to ensure that communities across the country continue to benefit from the enrichment and value that art brings into our lives, and we will work to maintain and expand federal funding for the NEA.”
– AFM Local 47 President John Acosta
Learn more about musicians’ efforts to preserve the National Endowment of the Arts.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (download pdf)
WHAT: Opening night of BlackMusic, BlackWork, a historical exhibition showcasing the African-American musicians union Local 767 of Los Angeles of the 1920s through 1950s.
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, 6-9 p.m.
WHERE:
California Jazz and Blues Museum
4317 Degnan Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008
WHO:
– John Acosta, President, American Federation of Musicians Local 47
– Lola Smallwood Cuevas, Co-Founder, Los Angeles Black Worker Center
– Albert Lord, Deputy – South East, Council District 10 (Herb Wesson)
– Deputy, Council District 8 (Marqueece Harris-Dawson)
– Musicians and family members of historical Local 767
– Live musical performances by Barbara Morrison & the Nedra Wheeler Trio
Continue reading
* Update 2/9/2017: 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules against Trump and travel ban will not go into effect *
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Download pdf
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 31, 2017) — The American Federation of Musicians Local 47 Executive Board released the following statement on the recent Executive Order on Immigration:
“The American Federation of Musicians Local 47 condemns the ban on immigration and entry to the United States by people from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
“Closing our borders to people because of the religion they practice is wrong. It violates our country’s founding principles and it sends a disturbing message to extremists at home and abroad.
“As artists we often find ourselves on the front lines in defense of diversity. Our music can be heard throughout movements for civil rights and social justice. Today we stand together with our brothers and sisters of all faiths to affirm our universal right to free thought and free speech.
“We reject all forms of religious discrimination. We stand in opposition to the Muslim ban and we won’t be silent about it.” Continue reading
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
