February is the annual celebration of the lives, work, and influence of Black Americans to U.S. history and culture. This Black History Month we celebrate Black musicians whose groundbreaking music helped change the world of music. Continue reading
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Explore celebrations of African American music & culture throughout the city
Bringing music education to Southland students
Sakari Dixon Vanderveer
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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.
Overture OnlineBlack History Month
Exploring music’s role in Black history
Jazz in Schools
LA Jazz Society brings music education to the Southland
#ListenLA Spotlight
Awards Season 2019
AFM Local 47 Membership Drive
Now is the perfect time to join the musicians union of Los Angeles
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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.
Rhythm Club President, Marl – pictured with Musicians’ Club Secretary Maury Paul (left), NAACP Secretary Lester Bailey (standing, center) and Rhythm Club Secretary Estelle Edson (right) – signs the final document transferring Local 767 Rhythm Club assets to the Local 47 Musicians’ Club of Los Angeles in March of 1953, marking the final step in the amalgamation of the two Locals. (Photo: AFM Local 47 Overture archives)
Throughout his esteemed career, Marl Young was known for breaking ground. A civil rights leader within the American Federation of Musicians, he was instrumental in the historic merger of the former all-black Local 767 and all-white Local 47 in the 1950s, which set the precedent for desegregation within the entire musicians union of the United States and Canada. In 1970 he became the first black music director of a major network television series, “Here’s Lucy.” Young served as a longtime director of the Los Angeles musicians union and remained an activist until his retirement in January 2009. He died on April 29, 2009, at age 92. Continue reading
Overture Online
FEBRUARY 2018
Jazz in Schools Turns 30
Black History Month program enters third decade of enriching lives through music
#listenLA: Awards Season 2018
Los Angeles musicians win big in the 60th annual Grammy Awards; Oscar noms are in!
Black History Month
Exploring the vital role of music in black history
California Jazz Foundation to Honor Local Jazz Heroes
Save the date to celebrate two of our own: Dr. Bobby Rodriguez and the late Buddy Collette
and more!
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Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. For those without access to a smart device, this issue may be viewed on a web browser. Local 47 members may download archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (download pdf)
WHAT: Opening night of BlackMusic, BlackWork, a historical exhibition showcasing the African-American musicians union Local 767 of Los Angeles of the 1920s through 1950s.
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, 6-9 p.m.
WHERE:
California Jazz and Blues Museum
4317 Degnan Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008
WHO:
– John Acosta, President, American Federation of Musicians Local 47
– Lola Smallwood Cuevas, Co-Founder, Los Angeles Black Worker Center
– Albert Lord, Deputy – South East, Council District 10 (Herb Wesson)
– Deputy, Council District 8 (Marqueece Harris-Dawson)
– Musicians and family members of historical Local 767
– Live musical performances by Barbara Morrison & the Nedra Wheeler Trio
Continue reading
On the evening of February 23, please join us for the launch of BlackMusic, BlackWork, a historical exhibition that explores the unsung bravery and artistry of Black working musicians of Central Avenue in Los Angeles whose work transformed L.A.’s music industry forever.
Developed by AFM Local 47, Los Angeles Black Worker Center, and UCLA Labor Center and History Department, the exhibition opening event takes place at the new California Jazz and Blues Museum, opened by acclaimed jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison. Continue reading
(pdf flyer)