The health and safety of our members is our number-one priority, and in an abundance of caution AFM Local 47 is postponing this event pending updates regarding the evolving Coronavirus COVID-19 health concerns.
We will alert you once this event is able to be rescheduled.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
The health and safety of our members and their families is of paramount importance. With the developing global situation, we have put together the following guide set out below concerning health and contractual matters relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
For advice on hygiene and preventing the spread of COVID-19, observe the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the prevention of catching and spreading germs here. Additionally, the Professional Musicians Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund offers these precautionary guidelines. Continue reading
How Does it Spread?The 2019 strain of the corona virus is what is known as a novel coronavirus, which means that it is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), is not the same as currently known coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. Continue reading
Celebrating Women’s History Month
How to cast your ballot in the 2020 Primary
Zooey Deschanel
and more!
Download the FREE App:
Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. For those without access to a smart device, issues may be viewed on a web browser here. Local 47 members may download archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.
March is Women’s History Month, and to celebrate we’re highlighting just a few of our wonderfully talented female members with our “Women Who Rock” #AFM47 playlist.
Listen below to hear music made by women members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, recorded union in Los Angeles.
Life Member. Piano
2/28/1933 – 11/24/2019
by Paul Gormley, Life Member
Howlett Smith was a unique pianist, singer, whistler, composer, and lyricist who I had the pleasure of working with for more than 25 years. Smitty’s career was mainly as musical entertainer in live venues. He performed at Bob Burns restaurant in Santa Monica for 10 years, left to play at Sterlings in Santa Monica for 10 years, then returned to Bob Burns for a 20(!)-year run. He had a fan base that ranged from non-musicians to jazz DJ Chuck Niles and singer Mark Murphy. Continue reading
Life Member. Trombone
7/4/1936 – 7/15/2019
by Paul Gormley, Life Member
I met Slyde in 1988 on bus trip to Lake Havasu with the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut big band. Before we arrived back in L.A., Slyde had invited me to come to his and Yolee’s Lake Sherwood home for dinner. This was the beginning of a warm friendship that continues. Continue reading
AFM Local 47 is adopting a canvass for Bernie Sanders on Sunday, February 23rd from 10:00am – 2:00pm Continue reading
Life Member. Trombone
4/30/1943 – 1/11/2020
by Tom & Lila Peterson
This note is in celebration of the life of Rick Culver. I met Rick in 1967 when we were in the Army Special Services band at Fort Meade Maryland. It didn’t take long to become good friends and that friendship has lasted over the years. Continue reading
LOS ANGELES, CA (Feb. 12, 2020) – The American Federation of Musicians Local 47 is proud to endorse Bernie Sanders for President of the United States in the 2020 Primary Election.
Members of the Los Angeles musicians union’s political action committee voted unanimously to recommend that the AFM Local 47 executive board – the elected leadership body of the 7,000-member union – endorse Sen. Sanders as the candidate who best represents the interests of musicians. On Tuesday, the board in turn voted unanimously to endorse Sanders in an unprecedented move for a union historically removed from taking official stances in presidential elections. Continue reading