Composers Mark Leggett (left) and Velton Ray Bunch (right) with Dolly Parton. Photo by Crystal Mangano
Dolly Parton’s childhood came to life on NBC this past December, drawing the biggest viewing audience for an original television movie since 2011. “Coat of Many Colors,” watched by 15.5 million viewers, is based on Parton’s early years growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Continue reading
To thank our area theaters that regularly employ AFM Local 47 musicians, the union has been presenting plaques to these venues – many of which have had collective bargaining agreements for several decades.
Our most recent plaque was presented to the El Portal Theatre on Dec, 22, 2015. Pictured above from left: Live Performance Business Rep Michael Ankney; President John Acosta; Jay Irwin, Manager, El Portal Theatre; and Secretary/Treasurer Gary Lasley.
After more than 50 years in Los Angeles, big band musician Pat Longo has returned to his roots and moved back to his hometown of Lodi, New Jersey.
As Pat likes to say, “the Longo Train has made many stops.” He has performed at The Vintage Club, The Academy Awards Governors Ball, New Years Eve Gala at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion… along with famed conductor Zubin Mehta and the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra, Caesar’s Palace and The Golden Nugget. He has entertained and worked side by side with such stars as Seth MacFarlane, Adam Levine and Jimmy Kimmel. Continue reading
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
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
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| 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, PS: Stay connected with our union by liking AFM on Facebook and following us on Twitter. |
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
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Tune in this Thursday, January 21 @ Noon, when we’ll be coming at you LIVE on ProMusic47 web radio!
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
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
