Category Archives: Press Releases

Introducing the AFM Local 47 Lifetime Achievement Awards

Kickoff event to recognize esteemed members of the Los Angeles musicians union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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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 →

Statement from AFM Local 47 President John Acosta On White House Proposal to Cut National Endowment of the Arts

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.

BlackMusic, BlackWork Exhibit Showcases Historic Black Los Angeles Musicians Union

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 →

Los Angeles Musicians Union Speaks Out Against Executive Order on Immigration

* Update 2/9/2017: 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules against Trump and travel ban will not go into effect *

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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 →

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

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 →

Amazon’s ‘Transparent’ Blasted for Unequal Treatment of Musicians

** UPDATE 4/11/2016 — We are 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. Read more **

Labor organizations demand action asking ‘Where’s the pride for musicians?’

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LOS ANGELES, CA (March 29, 2016) — Amazon series “Transparent” has come under fire by leaders in the Los Angeles labor community for the unequal treatment of musicians who work on the show.

On Tuesday morning members of AFM Local 47, the Los Angeles chapter of the American Federation of Musicians, leafleted outside a desert location shoot in Pearblossom, California, asking “Where’s the pride for musicians?” and calling upon production company Picrow to hold musicians to the same standard as all its other workers. The acting talent, writers, directors, and crew receive union wages, benefits and protections; only musicians are shut out of a labor contract. Continue reading →

Musicians Demonstrate Against Exploitation at Warner Bros.

: Photos: Antonio Mendoza, Unite Here Local 11

Legislators, Labor Community Call for Fair Treatment of Musicians

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BURBANK, CA (DEC. 15, 2015) — More than 50 members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, Unite Here Local 11, and other unions and community supporters held a large demonstration Tuesday morning against the exploitation of musicians taking place on the Warner Bros. lot.

The group distributed leaflets objecting to the studio’s facilitation of non-union activity on its property. Warner Bros., signatory to the American Federation of Musicians, permitted a non-union “dark” date by Cinema Scoring, an employer with whom AFM Local 47 has a labor dispute. Continue reading →

California Musicians Support AB 1199 With Live Performance at the Capitol

New legislation will save jobs for California film and TV musicians

SACRAMENTO, CA (May 18, 2015) — Today members of the American Federation of Musicians from Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco hosted a live musical performance and press conference outside the state capitol in support of AB 1199, a bill proposing changes to the Film & Television Tax Credit Program they say will bring more music work to the state. Continue reading →

Musicians Applaud AB 1199 as Positive Step Forward for Improving CA’s Film & TV Tax Credit Program

AB 1199 author Adrin Nazarian, Assemblymember, California District 46

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LOS ANGELES, CA (MARCH 30, 2015) — Thousands of California musicians suffering from the effects of runaway production are encouraged by a new bill that aims to close loopholes relating to music scoring in the California Film and Television Job Retention Act.

AB 1199, authored by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, introduces language that would for the first time require a specified amount of the total expenditures relating to music post-production be done in California in order for a production to qualify for an added rebate. Musicians applaud this preliminary language as a significant step in the right direction, and are optimistic that further development of the bill will continue to improve upon the existing tax credit program as it relates to music scoring in California. Continue reading →

Next ‘Star Wars’ Film to Score in Los Angeles for the First Time in Franchise History

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LOS ANGELES, CA (MARCH 24, 2015) — The Force is with Los Angeles musicians: For the first time in the film saga’s history, the musical score to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will be recorded in Los Angeles by members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47.

Composer John Williams—himself a Life Member of Local 47—is currently at work writing the music for this seventh installment in the “Star Wars” franchise. Williams has composed the music for every film in the series since its 1977 debut. While previous films were scored at Abbey Road with the London Symphony Orchestra, “The Force Awakens” marks the first time a “Star Wars” score will be recorded in the United States. Continue reading →