#listenLA spotlight: ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’

In the largest session to date for new Marvel TV series “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, Los Angeles composer Bear McCreary led a 91-piece orchestra at a scoring session on Sony’s famed Barbara Streisand Scoring Stage in Culver City Dec. 16.

Peter Rotter compiled the massive orchestra comprising 36 violins, 15 violas, 12 celli, 7 basses, two each of flutes, clarinets and bassoons, three trumpets, six horns, three trombones, and oboe, tuba and harp.

Peter Rotter and Bear McCreary

Orchestra contractor Peter Rotter and composer Bear McCreary on the Streisand Scoring Stage

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Turn Up the FUNK!

Frank Macchia’s Grease Mechanix hotwire brassy funky fun on their self-titled debut

Picture a triple-size New Orleans brass band: six saxophones, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, electric guitar, drums and percussion playing all new original music that will have you shaking, rattling and rolling with modern rhythms and funky goodness. Add a touch of humor in the form of wacky lyrics, and you have Frank Macchia’s Grease Mechanix.

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Celebration of Jazz and Jazz Masters

by Mary Barrow

Jazz lovers came together to celebrate some of the music’s great talents at the 30th Anniversary Los Angeles Jazz Tribute Awards Dinner and Concert on Oct. 27.

Photos by Scherr Lillico/The Proper Image All in the family — Accepting their awards at the L.A. Jazz Society 30th Annual Awards were legendary Latin jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo and his talented progeny, Sheila E., Peter Michael and Juan.

Photos by Scherr Lillico/The Proper Image
All in the family — Accepting their awards at the L.A. Jazz Society 30th Annual Awards were legendary Latin jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo and his talented progeny, Sheila E., Peter Michael and Juan.

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Labor News: L.A. Labor Unites Against Walmart

Local 47 officers among 43 arrested in the largest civil disobedience action in the mega-chain’s history

Surrounded by about 100 police officers in riot gear and a helicopter circling above, more than 50 Walmart workers and supporters were arrested in downtown Los Angeles the night of Nov. 7 as they sat in the street protesting the corporation’s low-wage poverty policies.

Local 47 members

Photo by Linda A. Rapka
More than a dozen Local 47 members joined about 500 activists Nov. 7 in a protest outside the Chinatown Walmart. Among the AFM contingent were Lynn and Maurice Grants, Alan Busteed, Vice President John Acosta, Joseph Hancock, Robin Lasley, Secretary/Treasurer Gary Lasley, Neil Samples, organizer Ethan Harris, Naomi Sato, and EMD Administrator Gordon Grayson.

Brandishing bright-blue Local 47 activist T-shirts, more than a dozen members joined a crowd of about 500 including labor supporters, Walmart workers, and clergy and participated in the demonstration. Those who refused police orders to clear the street after their permit expired were arrested without incident.

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Latin Jazz Artist Arturo Sandoval to Receive Medal of Freedom

Acclaimed Local 47 Latin jazz musician Arturo Sandoval will be honored this year with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.

Arturo Sandoval

Arturo Sandoval

“Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom is an immense honor for me,” Sandoval said. “Without freedom, there is no life. I had the distinct honor of having experienced not only liberty, but also a rebirth, the day I landed on U.S. soil, knowing that I was finally free from suffering in a regime which has no respect for human rights. Since coming to this country I have humbly received countless demonstrations of admiration and respect for my work, to which I am forever grateful.”

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America’s Got Talent… and talented Los Angeles musicians!

Marco Marinangeli led a 15-piece Local 47 orchestra at Capitol Records Sept. 13 in the final scoring session of the season for the hit NBC talent show “America’s Got Talent.”

Photos by Linda A. Rapka Conductor/Arranger Marco Marinangeli leads a Local 47 string orchestra in the final recording session of the season for hit NBC reality series "America's Got Talent" at Capitol Records Sept. 12.

Photos by Linda A. Rapka
Conductor/Arranger Marco Marinangeli leads a Local 47 string orchestra in the final recording session of the season for hit NBC reality series “America’s Got Talent” at Capitol Records Sept. 12.

The show, created by famously crass English reality judge Simon Cowell, from seasons one through six were broadcast live from CBS Television City in Los Angeles. In season seven the live shows were held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, and for the current eighth season, live performances moved to Radio City Music Hall in New York City. During the Capitol Records scoring session, music director Graham Stack listened in from New York via Skype.

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