February 2016 In Memoriam

Thomas L. Garrett
Life Member. Drums
7/5/1938 – 12/16/2015
Survived by spouse & children

Jack W. Feierman
Life Member. Trumpet
11/3/1924 – 1/19/2016
Survived by spouse

Ronald A. Kalina
Life Member. Harmonica/Piano
8/4/1928 – 1/13/2016
Survived by friend

Stephens LaFever
Life Member. Bass
3/27/1932 – 12/9/2015
Survived by spouse & children

Delores Rhoads
Life Member. Trumpet
3/30/1920 – 11/11/2015
Survived by children

June Russo
Life Member. Flute
6/5/1929 – 1/6/2016
Survived by spouse & children

Miguel Sanchez
Life Member. Saxophone
1/20/1923 – 1/9/2016
Survived by spouse & son

Final Note: Jack Feierman

Jack Feierman

Life Member. Trumpet
1/3/1924 – 1/19/2016

by Judith Feierman, wife

Jack Feierman, a giant in the world of music who contributed as a player, composer, conductor and arranger to some of the most famous acts of the 20th Century, died at home on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at the age of 91.

He was known throughout the world of music as a consummate professional who always represented the best of the best. Continue reading →

AFM News: Public TV Update

AFM - American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
Dear Member:

After months of negotiating, we have reached a tentative agreement with public television producers for a new National Public Television (NPTV) contract covering musicians, arrangers, orchestras, and copyists working in the production, broadcast, and streaming of public television programs.

The tentative three year agreement includes a 3% wage increase each year, an additional first year market adjustment on wages of 5%, higher health and welfare contributions, and improved clip use payments. If approved, the contract will run through 2019.

In the coming weeks, members working under our NPTV agreement will receive the contract proposal for review and a ballot for participation in the contract vote. The NPTV Negotiating Committee unanimously recommends ratification on the contract.

Musicians standing together have the power.

In Unity,
Ray Hair
AFM International President

PS: Stay connected with our union by liking AFM on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Final Note: Ron Kalina

Life Member. Piano
(8/4/1928 – 1/13/2016)

by Jim Self, Life Member, AFM Local 47

On Jan. 13, 2016, Ron Kalina, one of my dearest friends and musical mentors, passed away peacefully at 87 in Palm Springs. In my early years in Los Angeles I was a busy bass player and, after the devastating strike in 1980, I relied a lot on bass gigs to pay the bills. I was also looking for a neat sound to make my first jazz tuba recording. One night I played a casual with this wonderful, swinging pianist Ron Kalina. Later in the evening he pulled out a harmonica and played great jazz while also comping with one hand on the piano. I was blown away by his sound and talent and thought, “wow, harmonica and tuba might be a really unique sound for a jazz band.” I needed a musical project to get me out of the doldrums of those down studio years and thought I could make an interesting jazz recording and maybe help me progress as a musician. Continue reading →

Pixar Roars Out a Winner With ‘The Good Dinosaur’

Production still courtesy Pixar / Walt Disney Pictures

What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct?

So posits Pixar in the enchanting computer-animated fantasy “The Good Dinosaur.” Luckily for young dinosaur Arlo, his parents and his two siblings, the mighty reptiles were not wiped out 65 million years ago. Continue reading →

Final Note: Jack Feierman

feierman headshot

Life Member. Trumpet
11/3/1924 – 1/19/2016

by Bob Alberti, Local 47 Life Member

Jack Feierman and I first met when we were both freelance studio musicians in the 1970s and often ended up on the same sessions. Our friendship was immediate and lasted through the years, even after I retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina. We often vacationed with Jack and his lovely wife Judith, on cruises from Alaska to the Caribbean, and during the 10 years I spent as pops conductor of the Hilton Head Symphony, whenever a strong lead trumpet player was needed I would arrange to have Jack flown out from Los Angeles to head up the brass section. Continue reading →

Congratulations 88th Annual Oscar nominees!

Oscars

Congratulations to all of the musicians, composers and music prep personnel who created the music on all of the following Oscar-nominated films scored here in Los Angeles!

THE BIG SHORT
5 nominations including Best Picture
Scored @ Conway

BRIDGE OF SPIES
6 nominations including Best Picture & Best Original Score: Thomas Newman
Scored @ Deep Sleep

CREED
1 nomination
Scored @ Warner Bros.

INSIDE OUT
2 nominations including Best Animated Feature Film
Scored @ Warner Bros.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
5 nominations including Best Original Score: John Williams
Scored @ Sony Studios

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
1 nomination
Scored @ Mason Sound & Sony Studios

TRUMBO
1 nomination
Scored @ Warner Bros.

STAR WARS: The Orchestra Awakens

starwars

by Linda A. Rapka

IN A GALAXY NOT SO FAR, FAR AWAY….

For the first time in the epic film saga’s history, the music for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was scored here in Los Angeles with AFM Local 47 musicians.

Composer John Williams with guest conductor Gustavo Dudamel during one of the scoring sessions for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at Sony Studios. Photo courtesy Don Williams

Composer John Williams with guest conductor Gustavo Dudamel during one of the scoring sessions for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at Sony Studios. Photo courtesy Don Foster

John Williams, a Life Member of the musicians union, composed the music once again for this seventh installment in the “Star Wars” franchise. He has written the music for every film in the series since its 1977 debut, but while previous films were scored at Abbey Road with the London Symphony Orchestra, “The Force Awakens” marks the first time a “Star Wars” score was recorded stateside.

“This experience of working on the latest ‘Star Wars’ in Los Angeles is probably the most momentous of scoring occasions in our long history of recording,” said Bruce Dukov, a violinist who has recorded on over 1,800 motion pictures over the past 30 years. “The main reason is that for 38 years of that franchise, all the music was recorded in London. For us to be involved in this venture now is nothing less than fantastic, and worthy of major historic notation.”

READ THE FULL STORY @ LISTEN-LA.COM

January 2016 Overture Online: STAR WARS – The Orchestra Awakens

Overture Online
January 2016

Cover Story:
STAR WARS – The Orchestra Awakens

Features:

The Time Is NOW! Ballots Due Feb. 1
Updates on the Mail Referendum to authorize the sale of the Vine Street property

Musicians Demonstrate Against Exploitation
Legislators and dozens of labor community supporters call for fair treatment of musicians

Player Conference Updates
Reports from RMALA, ROPA & TMA SoCal

CD Spotlight
‘Songs of Hope’ by Karolina Naziemiec

The Good Dinosaur
Mychael and Jeff Danna score Pixar’s latest film

and more!
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Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. No smart device? View this issue on a web browser (must have flash enabled). Local 47 members may find archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.

Winter 2016 Overture Magazine
Local 47 members will have now received the print 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. 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.