Celebrating the Life of Howard Rumsey

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Life Member. Bass
(11/7/1917 – 7/15/2015)

By Glenn A. Mitchell, Life Member

Longtime jazz bassist, entrepreneur and educator Howard Rumsey passed away July 15, 2015, at 97 years. Rumsey brought jazz to the west coast in a big way after leaving the original Stan Kenton Orchestra. He helped Lighthouse owner John Levine by getting an OK to produce Sunday afternoon jazz at the Lighthouse. Several years later he also ran the famous Concerts by the Sea in Redondo Beach for a number of years until his retirement in 1985, bringing many famous world-class jazz artists to both venues. Continue reading →

Final Note: Lorenzo C. Green Sr.

Lorenzo Green

Life Member. Drum Set
(3/22/1928 – 9/11/2015)

by Patrick L. Green (Abeid)

Lorenzo C. Green, Sr. was born on March 22, 1928, to the union of Edwin Louis Green Sr. and Allie May Agers in Ardmore, Oklahoma. After the passing of his beloved mother, Allie, at a young age, Ludester Nolen became his stepmother. Lorenzo was one of four children – Edwin Green Jr., Betty Green, and Edna Mae Cheadle, who preceded him in death. Lorenzo C. Green Sr. passed away on Sept. 11, 2015, after a brief illness. Continue reading →

Final Note: Al Bruno (Bruneau)

Al Bruno

Life Member. Guitar
(1/22/1937 – 8/21/2015)

Al Bruno (Bruneau) was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on Jan. 22, 1937. He attended bilingual kindergarten in Parry Sound, but because there were no French schools to continue his education, he moved back to Sudbury where he lived with his grandparents for two years. In 1945 Al moved from Parry Sound to Toronto with his siblings. Continue reading →

H&W Fund: Who is Collecting on Your Health Insurance?

Professional Musicians, Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund

Who is Collecting on Your Health Insurance?

The Professional Musicians Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund (“Fund”) provides a $20,000* Life Insurance benefit to Participants who have qualified for benefits.

When you qualify for the Health benefits offered by the Fund, you also qualify for the Prudential Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit. While you must complete an enrollment form and pay the required co-premium to be enrolled in and covered by the Fund’s health benefit plans, there is no such enrollment or co-premium required for coverage through the Fund’s Life and AD&D benefit program. Once you become eligible, you are automatically enrolled. Continue reading →

SAVE THE DATE! Special Meeting October 5

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Informational meeting to discuss Upcoming Mail Referendum

By now members will have received the “Time Is Now” Special Edition Overture announcing the upcoming mail-in referendum. (Missed it? Find it in the Members Section by logging in to your account at afm47.org or visit TimeIsNow47.org.)

Please plan to attend the Special Meeting on Monday, Oct. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Serena Kay & Earl Williams Auditorium. This important informational meeting will offer an opportunity to learn more about the referendum and to have any questions answered. Continue reading →

Hollywood Piano Co. sales during Labor Day Weekend to benefit Local 47

hollywood piano

Hollywood Piano Co. to donate 5% of each piano sold this weekend to AFM Local 47

An invitation from Glenn Treibitz, Hollywood Piano Owner and AFM Local 47 supporter:

“As a longtime supporter of the AFM Local 47, I’m always looking for ways in which we can help our cause as musicians. This weekend is our 24th annual Labor Day Parking Lot Piano Sale. Everyone who purchases a piano and mentions Local 47, we will to donate 5% of each sale to Local 47!  Continue reading →

Cash Date Fact Check

money crop

The true cost of taking non-union work

Musicians experiencing a downturn of work may feel that accepting non-union work is the only answer. It’s easy to think, “I need to take whatever work I can to pay my bills and support my family. What’s the harm in working a non-union job?”

The question often not asked is, what if everyone were to accept jobs with no set wage minimums, no guaranteed health care, and no other benefits?

As musicians choose to operate on their own and take whatever jobs are offered with no regard to union scales, pretty soon these cash dates become the dominant form of employment. Accepting cash dates sends a clear message to employers that there are musicians out there willing to ignore our agreements. What could do more to cheapen our work? Continue reading →