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

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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

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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 →

H&W: Premium Assistance Under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

H&WIf you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and even if you are eligible for health coverage from your employer – in our case, the Professional Musicians, Local 47, and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund (the “Fund”) – your state may have a premium assistance program that can help pay for your children’s coverage, using funds from the that State’s Medicaid or CHIP programs. If you or your children aren’t eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you won’t be eligible for these premium assistance programs but, nonetheless, you may be able to buy them (and yourself, if you have not qualified for coverage through the Fund) individual insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov. Continue reading →

April 2016 Overture Online: John Clayton

Overture Online
April 2016

Cover Story: John Clayton
Playing it Cool

Building Sale Update
Building Committee members appointed

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

Avoid Being Suspended Over Delinquent Work Dues!
Review the Board policy

Spring Membership Drive
Spread the word! Runs April 1 through June 30

and more!

The Overture Online app is available FREE in the Apple App Store & Google Play:

 

Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. For those without access to a smart device, this issue may be viewed on a web browser (must have flash enabled). Local 47 members may download archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.


Spring 2016 Overture Magazine

Local 47 members will have now received the latest edition of the Overture Magazine in the mail. These print issues contain additional news not found in the public Overture Online, such as Resolutions to amend the bylaws, member status updates, and other announcements requiring due notice per the Bylaws. If you are a member in good standing and didn’t receive your print copy, email us or view it online by logging in to your member account at afm47.org.