Life Member. Saxophone
9/11/1921 – 7/6/2019
Tom “Tippy” Morgan passed peacefully on July 6, 2019 at the Ventura Cal-Vet home. Born in 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota, he was the youngest of five boys born to John Herbert Morgan and Ida Ludell (Phillips) Morgan and discovered an early love of music. He fondly recalled teenage jam sessions at the Minneapolis home of the Pettiford family where he learned how to swing alongside future jazz legend Oscar Pettiford. Continue reading
Life Member. Piano
8/22/1937 – 7/21/2019
Dr. Michael Zearott, a longtime resident of Clarkston, WA, with a world-spanning career in the arts, died at his home after a long illness on July 21, 2019. He was 81. Continue reading
Life Member. Violin
6/17/1947 – 7/11/2019
by the LA Philharmonic Association
Jerry Epstein, former violist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, passed away on July 11, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Continue reading
Rosita performing for Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward
Life Member. Latin & Brazilian Percussion/Vocals
12/9/1924 – 4/3/2019
Rosita Duchesne Mallah was born December 9,1924 in Cayey, Puerto Rico. She joined the Los Angeles musicians union, AFM Local 47, in 1961 and remained a member until her passing. She was a staunch supporter of the Musicians Union, and her late husband was Charles Mallah (guitar, bandleader), who had served on the Local 47 Executive Board for many years. Continue reading
Former Member. Trombone
2/12/1924 – 1/25/2019
Ray Victor, musician, actor, lyricist and writer passed January 25, 2019. Ray was born Ray Moreno Vasquez February 12, 1924. He was 94 years old, and two weeks shy of 95. Continue reading
Life Member. Saxophone
4/26/1931 – 12/12/2018
Cecil Dale Hill was born in San Antonio, Texas, April 26, 1931. He passed away December 12, 2018. He was a father of six children and is survived by his beloved wife Margaret. He had nine grandchildren. And the great-grandchildren are still coming! Continue reading
Former Life Member. Violin
11/13/1923 – 10/3/2018
Dorothy Compinsky (November 13, 1923 – October 3, 2018), was a violinist and teacher and a life member of Local 47. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho. Her father was a railroad worker who played violin and banjo, and so introduced her to the joys of music. Her mother played piano and was a school teacher for a time, and later became a professional dressmaker. Continue reading
Life Member. Bass & Fender Bass
11/14/1934 – 4/28/2018
On April 28, 2018, Ted Hughart died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and friends.
He had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig’s disease. Continue reading
Life Member. Drum Set
7/1/1952 – 2/3/2018
by Washington Rucker, Life Member, AFM Local 47
We have lost a giant in the music world, and more directly, a great musician.
My best friend, Ndugu Chancler, was one of only a hand full of drummers who could be recognized by a single name: Ndugu. His moniker was well deserved and well earned. He stood tall among the genre of drummers who spring up… and he stood atop most of them. Continue reading
Member. Cello
9/18/1949 – 11/27/2016
by Susan Cuscuna
Todd Lybrand Hemmenway, cellist, passed away after a brief battle with cancer, on November 27, 2016, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He was raised in Northern Virginia and Cape Cod, studied the cello with Orlando Cole at the New School of Music in Philadelphia, and enjoyed his thirty year career in Los Angeles as a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and as a studio musician recording the scores of many films particularly with John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Randy Newman. He leaves behind his beloved son, Sam; wife, Susan; brother Scott and sisters Clare and Dana.