Any threat to live music is a threat to musicians everywhere. Members of Local 802 recently sprang into action to make sure employers know of our commitment to live music. This time the latest assault on live music was perpetrated

More than a hundred recording musicians packed the 802 Club Room on May 11 in an historic face-to-face meeting with the International Executive Board of the AFM. The meeting was called by Local 802 in response to recent policy modifications

Local 802 president David Lennon was elected to the AFM’s International Executive Board at the AFM’s 96th Convention in July. Receiving the highest vote of twelve non-incumbent candidates, his election as a first-term local union president to the IEB is

Musicians in the Met Opera Orchestra ratified a new contract that will lead to a big increase in pension payouts. From left, Michael Ouzounian, Sylvia Danburg and Shirien Taylor. More photos by Claire Houston below article. Musicians at the Met

Dozens of artists from the jazz, new music, and avant-garde rock scenes came out to make noise at the Knitting Factory rally on Dec. 15. Many brought their instruments and inspired the crowd despite the 30-degree weather. Here are some

2004 DUES INCREASE In October 2003, in response to a bylaw resolution submitted by the Local 802 Executive Board, members voted in favor of raising dues by a margin of over 2-1. It was the first time since 1996 that

Local 802 recently became the newest member of the Working Families Party of New York. Joining with over 80 other labor and community organizations, we are the first entertainment industry union to enter the Working Families Party. By becoming a

Local 802 and AFM Local 47 (Los Angeles) recently teamed up to fight the use of the virtual orchestra machine at the Nederlander’s Pantages Theatre in L.A. At the center of the fight is Realtime Music Solutions, the company that

Delegates to the AFM Convention voted unanimously to adopt 802’s resolution calling on the AFM to take whatever steps necessary to ban the virtual orchestra machine. The resolution directs the AFM to commit whatever resources necessary to wage the national

Mayor: Mike Bloomberg Mayor Bloomberg has a demonstrable record on the arts and his administration has proven to be one of the most supportive of the arts community in decades. His administration lobbied successfully to create tax incentives for the

In late December the management of Eos decided to cease operations and cancel performances scheduled for the 2005 season. This came as much of a shock to Local 802 as it did to many members. Whenever the management of an

Membership application now available online! There has never been a more important nor opportune time to join Local 802. Beginning April 1 the union is conducting a three-month membership drive during which time both the local’s and the AFM’s initiation

Doug Caine is a member of Local 47. He is also the special assistant to Hal Espinosa, the president of Local 47. This article originally appeared in Overture, the newspaper of Local 47, and was edited for Allegro. My union

As reported in the June 2005 issue of Allegro, Local 802 and Local 47 (Los Angeles) recently joined forces in the fight against the replacement of live music with the virtual orchestra machine. 802 president David Lennon appeared as an

From left, Allison Spratt, Hollie Howard, Richard Todd Adams and Jodie Langel in “Plane Crazy,” one fo the shows in the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Despite rising production costs and real estate obstacles, it appears that the theatre industry

Last year at this time I was invited by Local 802 to write a piece for the Women’s History Month edition of Allegro. I am flattered to be asked again this year to make a contribution in what is becoming

On Dec. 13, Local 802 testified on behalf of the Hudson Yards Affordable Housing Committee before the New York City Council. As Allegro went to press, the council was holding hearings on the redevelopment of the Far West Side of

Local 802 and the union’s Jazz Advisory Committee were an important presence at the 32nd annual convention of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE). At our booth were Recording Vice President Bill Dennison, Jazz Representative Bob Cranshaw and myself.

On May 11th, an unprecedented meeting will take place between the AFM International Executive Board (IEB) and New York recording musicians, at Local 802 headquarters. Local 802 extended this invitation to the IEB at its first quarter meeting in New

In an important decision for New York musicians, the state’s unemployment insurance review board has upheld musicians’ status as employees, thus maintaining their eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. The lengthy ruling by the board reversed an earlier decision denying unemployment

Nicholas, Jeremiah, and Akeem are three kids displaced from Hurricane Katrina. They’re pictured with Lovie Smith-Schenk, the president of AFM Local 65-699 (Housten) at a benefit concert for Katrina survivors. I had just had surgery a little over a week

On Dec. 27, 1932, a new theatre debuted in New York accompanied by its 100-piece orchestra. The theatre was Radio City Music Hall and its orchestra and famous organ have brought music to millions for 73 years. In those days

Across America there is a huge amount of activity revolving around the connection between music and health care. First and foremost, there are the thousands of benefit concerts that musicians stage for each other every week when a brother or

If you’re a jazz or freelance musician and you need health insurance, help is available! But you have to take the time to visit the union and find out how you can access these benefits. A March 28 seminar on

Recording musicians spoke their minds at the May 11 meeting with the International Executive Board, which was the first time 802 members met face-to-face with the AFM’s leadership. As reported in last month’s Allegro, the hottest topic at the meeting

802 member Pedro Diaz with Kathy Caballero, co-chair of the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet Orchestra Committee. The “Ballet Handbook,” a primer for children on the Web site of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, defines ballet as “a way of telling a

A new agreement has been reached between the Stamford Center for the Arts, AFM Local 52-626 (Norwalk, Conn.) and Local 802 for this season’s performances of the Nutcracker ballet at the Palace Theatre in Stamford, Conn. Historically this work has

The following article was posted by the Associated Press on Dec. 15, 2004. A Manhattan concert hall stopped the Opera Company of Brooklyn from holding a planned event there Tuesday evening after a musicians’ union scheduled a protest against the

In most union shops or gigs, the union’s rep on the job is an employee who has been designated or elected as the shop steward. It is the job of the shop steward to be the union’s eyes and ears

If you have ever performed in a Broadway pit, you know that the benefits — especially pension — are some of the best. But many may not know that the reason Broadway pension is so good is that Broadway theatres

In late May, the Goldman Memorial Band decided to cancel the 2005 summer season and cease operations entirely. Management chose to shut down operations after band members voted to reject an extremely concessionary offer. The offer included cutting the band

Duke LaFoon and Megan Lawrence in “Monica! The Musical,” one of the shows in the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Photo by Daniel Shiffman. This fall Local 802 began a unique relationship with the New York Musical Theatre Festival —

Picket lines went up on Nov. 9 in front of NYU. The union of graduate employees at New York University is fighting for the basic right to a union. After four years of collective bargaining with its graduate employees, the

Probably the single most effective weapon in labor’s arsenal against unfair treatment by management is the strike. A strike, however, may take different forms and be precipitated by many different reasons. For example, the most common form of strike is

In last month’s column I “admitted” (a rare occurrence for an attorney!) that vacating an arbitration award is probably one of the most difficult tasks that a lawyer can seek to accomplish. I posed this rhetorical question: under what set

Music makes the world go round, and we at NYC & Company are hoping the world will be inspired to visit New York with the release of “New York: For the Time of Your Life,” an original tune to promote

Let’s say you own a restaurant and you want to have recorded music playing in the background. Can you? If you wrote the music yourself, then you own the copyright. Otherwise, you generally need to get permission, otherwise known as

Under the threat of using canned music, and only hours before the first rehearsal of the summer season, Local 802 reached a tentative agreement with the School of American Ballet. The agreement includes a ban on the virtual orchestra machine.

LEGAL HELP, TOO Gulf Coast musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina can receive free legal help through Reed Elsevier. The publisher can help with employment contracts, commercial agreements, copyright issues, general advice as well as help with negotiations. To apply, musicians

Perhaps this has happened to you. You’re at a wedding or a big corporate party. It’s in one of those swanky Midtown hotels. All the guests are in their finest clothes. The floral centerpieces are the size of your typical

MICHAEL KELLER Michael Keller has been contracting for about 11 years. He was the contractor for the 60-piece orchestra of Barbra Streisand in her 1994 and 2001 tours. He’s contracted for “Bombay Dreams,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Wicked,” “The Boy

As reported in last month’s Allegro, on March 2 the Broadway Theatre Committee unanimously adopted a new set of bylaws that will govern its operations for the future. The new bylaws state that each elected delegate’s primary responsibility is to

802 members Hank Jones (top) and Jimmy Owens performed with Slide Hampton in Albany. My father was a dress designer who taught himself how to play the piano by ear and would play for his own amusement. Because of his

Ben Franklin said, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” That’s especially relevant today, when unions are under fire and fighting for musicians’ rights and workers’ rights is tough. In June, I attended a newly-designed

If thoughts of balance sheets, profit and loss statements and revenues versus liabilities tend to make your eyes glaze over, you should know that these items allow all Local 802 members to keep a finger on the financial pulse of

Music makes the labor movement stronger! On September 10, Local 802 joined hundreds of other unions in the Central Labor Council’s annual labor parade. Performing in Local 802’s contingent were Sam Bardfeld (violin), Curtis Fowlkes (trombone), Norbert Marius (bass), Roy

How do you find work in this town? That’s the number-one question asked by new members of Local 802. As musicians quickly discover, the union’s main mission is to help you improve and sustain your work. We do have a

Soprano saxophonist and composer Jane Ira Bloom has been steadfastly developing her unique voice on the soprano saxophone for over 25 years. A pioneer in the use of live electronics and movement in jazz, as well as the possessor of

It takes small steps, but each organizing victory is one more way musicians build up their collective strength. This month’s organizing column deals with a new kind of space: a spin-off of an Off Broadway venue. One phone call from

  The state AFL-CIO is supporting the creation of five casinos in Monticello, New York. Casino gambling can bring with it employment – potentially, employment for musicians. Do you support casino gambling in New York? Of the 80 responses Allegro

The following resolution, adopted at the AFM convention, awards emiritus status to Florence Nelson, the outgoing AFM secretary-treasurer. WHEREAS, Florence Nelson has served the interests of musicians throughout the United States, Canada, and through her activities as AFM representative to

As everyone who has lived through a serious illness knows, hospitalization bills are a killer. Recent studies showed that half of all bankruptcies are due to medical expenses. Now Local 802 is offering an inexpensive catastrophic plan that will supplement

The Anne Walker Scholarship Fund has awarded three scholarships for the coming academic year, to help 802 members or their children pursue studies in music. Below are profiles of the winners. As usual, next year Allegro will print application information

When you think of making movies, Los Angeles is the first city that probably comes to mind. But Local 802 hopes to make you think of both Los Angeles and New York. A new City Council bill would create a

“FINE AND DANDY: THE LIFE AND WORK OF KAY SWIFT,” by Vicki Ohl (Yale University Press, 2004). Vicki Ohl has written an excellent, important and timely book, the first full biography of a woman who experienced and contributed to the

DANCING TO LIVE MUSIC To the Editor: Bravo to Joan Acocella for going out of her way to extol the virtues of live music in her dance column in the New Yorker issue of May 9, 2005. After favorably reviewing

Here are Local 802’s endorsements in the primary election to take place on Sept. 13. (The general election is Nov. 8.) To register or to find our your poll site, call (866) VOTE-NYC. For more information, contact Heather Beaudoin at

Looking for gigs? The AFM now has two new Web pages that might help members get jobs. The first is on the AFM’s own Web site, www.afm.org. From the main page, click “Members login.” Once you’re logged in, click on

Printed on page 17 are the new jingle rates (also online in the Wage & Contract section of this site). These are rates that apply to musicians playing on TV and radio commercials, like the McDonald’s theme, “I’m Lovin’ It,”

Playing is a complex process. It begins with a musical intention that is translated into a series of movements involving weight, speed, orientation in space, and relationship to gravity. When these movements are inefficient and not optimally organized, the result

On March 31, the contract between the AFM and the League of American Theatres and Producers covering touring theatrical musicals – Pamphlet B — expired. Preparations for the negotiation of a new agreement have been under way. Federation officials, local

RENT HIKE LOOMS CLOSING THE HEALTHCARE DIVIDE THE GAMBLE ON SOCIAL SECURITY RENT HIKE LOOMS On May 3, the New York City Rent Guidelines Board recommended increases for the city’s one million rent-controlled apartments. Although the board has the power

Is there any sweeter feeling than collecting money that you didn’t know was yours? Each time you perform on a union recording session, you become eligible for five years’ worth of “special payments.” The entity that collects and distributes this

At the recent AFM convention, members sent all of us a loud signal that they want a union that is inclusive and united. I’m happy to report that the IEB has met this challenge and bridged a gap that had

802 member Larry Ham swings in Bryant Park. Local 802 and the MPF are funding live music in Bryant Park all summer. See www.BryantPark.org. Photo by Mikael Elsila.  

As 2005 begins, it is time for a new direction. Our nation is at war. Our economy is stuck in neutral and our budget deficit is the largest in history. Social Security and Medicare each need special attention as our

After invading town after town throughout the United States, Wal-Mart is now trying to bring its trail of destruction to New York City. Don’t let its bright lights fool you. Communities with Wal-Marts are often left in the dark as

A major club date employer has paid nearly $8,000 as part of a settlement with Local 802 and the pension fund. The settlement covered contributions that the employer failed to make on behalf of 24 individuals in 2001 through 2004.

The following bylaw resolutions have been submitted for the October membership meeting which will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. in the Local 802 Club Room. Resolution #1 Whereas: Benefits under the Members Legal Services Fund should

MusicMobe is a new Web site (www.MusicMobe.org) that reaches across borders and amplifies the many voices for peace, democracy, environmental protection and global justice. I became involved in this project while on tour in Europe during the most recent U.S.

For more than a decade, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has been helping students from working families achieve their educational goals. Jan. 31 is the deadline to apply for an award in 2005. Local 802 members, their spouses and dependent

Each year the New York State AFL-CIO awards a four-year scholarship to a 2005 graduating high school senior who intends to pursue a career in labor relations or a related field. This year, the award will be for $2,000 per

What happens when you saw one leg off of a three-legged stool? You fall over! But that’s exactly what President Bush and his team are proposing to do. The “three-legged stool” is the classic metaphor for how you are supposed

We’ve all become accustomed to checking out the sale racks when we’re shopping for clothes or trying to talk down the price of that great chair at the local flea market. When it comes to medical bills however, we often

When you vote on Nov. 8, you should vote on row E, the Working Families Party line. Why? Voting for a candidate on the WFP row counts just as much as if you voted for these same candidates on the

If there’s any one phrase that captures the playing of trombonist Robert Edward Pring – known to most of us as Bobby Pring – it is “smooth as satin.” The epiphany that determined his musical direction occurred prior to World

Gail Kruvand Earlier this year, the New York City Opera orchestra ratified a new four-year agreement, which is in effect from June 1, 2005 through May 31, 2009. Even though the company said it had a deficit of just over

IT PAYS TO FILM IN NYC LABOR SHOWS WAL-MART THE DOOR HEALTH CARE FOR WORKERS IT PAYS TO FILM IN NYC New York City currently ranks below both Los Angeles and Toronto in the number of productions shot in each

The Internet has been an amazing “global” resource for me. It has enabled me to create a personal Web site, sell my products, order music, and most importantly, has been a versatile tool for research — both musical and labor-intensive.

Gateway Playhouse. An unfair labor practice charge filed recently by Gateway Playhouse against Local 802 for allegedly bargaining in bad faith has been dismissed by a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board. The charge was filed when 802’s

I was very sad to hear about Michael Gibson’s passing. I was good friends with Michael when I still lived in New York. And I’m proud to say that I was responsible for getting him hired on “Onward Victoria,” for

“Fifties Jazz Talk, an Oral Retrospective” by Gordon Jack (Scarecrow Press, 2004). A new addition to Scarecrow’s “Studies in Jazz” series, this book contains transcribed interviews with thirty jazz musicians, survivors of the 1950s jazz scene, who were selected by

If you’re a musician and you’re paid cash or on a 1099, it means that you’re actually losing money and your employer may be breaking the law. It may seem like a good thing to not have taxes deducted from

“The Light in the Piazza.” A four-month agreement was negotiated with Lincoln Center for this production going into the Vivian Beaumont Theatre (Adam Siegel, general manager). The minimum performance scale for side musicians is $1,036 for an eight-performance week. The

April is a month of change and renewal; the clocks move forward as the weather warms, and the race begins to complete your taxes by the 15th of the month. It may be too late to reduce your level of

Cecil M. Greaves – Piano Bonnie Hartman – Cello Pearcy Heath – Bass Simon Karasick – Trombone Samuel Krachmalnick – Piano/Conductor Raymond Kunicki – Violin Edmund Kurtz – Cello Larry Laurenzano – Trumpet Arnie Lawrence – Saxophone David Raksin –

Summer and live music: the best combination. The MPF and the Council for Living Music co-sponsored dozens of concerts this summer as part of our efforts to promote live music, including performances at Bryant Park and Times Square. Also pictured

The collapse of public health care through decades of deliberate neglect in the U.S. makes the country as vulnerable to a flu pandemic as any bottom tier third world country, and it may be too late to do anything about

As we finish up our shopping for the holiday season, let’s not forget Wal-Mart, the worst sweatshop abuser in the world today. Each year, the National Labor Committee runs a campaign during the “shopping season” called the Holiday Season of

Blossom Dearie Enterprises. Local 802 has renewed its agreement with Blossom Dearie Enterprises covering the performance work of what is typically the Blossom Dearie Trio. The two-year agreement provides for a 10 percent pension contribution and a guarantee of Plan

“Molly and the Sword,” by Robert Shlasko, illustrated by Donna Diamond, Jane and Street Publishers, 2004, www.JaneAndStreet.com. Here is a children’s book, for seven-year-olds and up, with a musical theme. At the beginning of the story, Molly is courageous and

Local 802 has joined forces with Air America and Worker Independent News (WIN) to launch radio spots to promote live music and advocate for the rights of musicians in New York. WIN is an independent radio service that was created

Probably one of the most difficult litigations I have ever handled was a suit which I just settled for what I consider to be a substantial sum of money. (Don’t ask because I can’t tell!) Now that the litigation is

Following are some of the national boycotts endorsed by the national AFL-CIO. The boycotts were instituted by and are conducted by the unions noted in the descriptions. For more information, check out www.unionlabel.org BUILDING MATERIALS & TOOLS Jet Equipment &

Boston Conservatory of Music. Local 802 and the Boston Conservatory of Music recently settled a music preparation grievance involving the failure to pay wages and benefits to the orchestrator for its production of the opera “The Captain’s Daughter.” The contract,

Matthew Milne is Local 802’s new controller, replacing Jon Bogert who retired April 1. Matt comes to 802 with a wealth of experience from the finance and business management fields. With a career that spans two decades, he has managed

The 2006-2007 Local 802 directory will be published at the end of this year. Thousands of musicians receive a copy of this book and use it as a valuable resource. Here’s how to check if we have your correct information:

Conflict is an unavoidable part of life. Just getting on the subway at rush hour can feel like a battle to the death. Finding equitable resolutions often seems very difficult, and the desire to save face or prove that one

The Contract Administration Department collected just over $100,000 in missing wages, health benefits, pension and work dues for musicians in 2003 in both the club date and hotel fields. Collection amounts are based on grievance settlements, internal and external audits

Danny A De Salvo – Bass William A Desavouret – Piano Irving Dorfman – Drums Len Dorson – Saxophone Eddie Layton – Organ Stuart MacKay – Saxophone George Mazza – Trombone Wayne Pedzwater – Bass Paul Pugliese – Trumpet Seymour

This summer, an amendment will be introduced on the floor of the Senate that will increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts’ 2006 budget by $5 million. Many professional musicians and music organizations around the country depend on

Kaufman Center. The union brought a grievance against the Kaufman Center to the American Arbitration Association for the failure of the center to provide 2 percent raises to faculty teaching in the center’s outreach program. The arbitrator denied the employer’s

Bobby Short was a perfect example of how thoroughly the music of the Great American Songbook has become an international institution. Demand for his music was worldwide. It was not unusual for him to be summoned across the Atlantic to

Why is it that certain lawsuits seem to receive a huge amount of media attention while others do not? This is a question I’ve begun to ask since I have found myself enmeshed in a suit that has received a

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2004 Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members, Gagliardi, Gale, Shankin, Weiss, Whitaker, Controller Bogert and Assistant to the President Delia. Recording Vice

RAISE THAT MINIMUM WAGE! Senators Clinton and Kennedy introduced the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2005 which will raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour in three steps: 70 cents two months after enactment, 70 cents one year after

CORRECTION:Billy Bauer, a guitarist and a Local 802 member since 1936, died on June 17, not June 24 as printed in last month’s Allegro. Jack R. Carman – Trombone Michael Di Vito – Violin Oliver Edel – Cello Chris Griffin

Leslie Abramson – Arranger/Copyist Don Arnone – Guitar Billy Bauer – Guitar Irving Berger – Trumpet Basil J. Bradbury – Piano Ruth Buffington – Violin Joseph R. Caruso – Piano Isidore Cohen – Violin Joseph W. Coutret – Pipe Organ

In a memorable performance, we know when there is a sense of rightness and ease, when we’re buoyed up by the rhythm, the feel of other musicians or the responsive pulse of the audience. But when we don’t have that

New York Collegium. For an April 15 concert, the employer canceled a number of rehearsals with less than seven days’ notice, a violation of Collegium’s CBA with the union. Concert Rep Jacob Heyman-Kantor contacted the employer and filed a grievance.

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2005 Meeting called to order at 11:20 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Babich, Gagliardi, Gale, Giannini, Landolfi, Schaffner, Shankin, Weiss, Whitaker, Assistant to the President Delia and

Actors, Artists, Athletes and Authors: Happy holidays and best wishes for a prosperous New Year. We’re here for your tax and business services needs all year round. By appointment. 1501 Broadway Suite 1607, NYC 10036. (212) 869-0513. thebizside@aol.com. Actors Federal

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2005 Meeting called to order at 11: 15 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Babich, Gale, Schaffner, Whitaker, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Delia and Jazz Advisory

COOLING DOWN WHEN THE HEAT IS ON: PERFORMANCE ANXIETY 101 Bewitched, bothered and bewildered… Would you like to learn more about what triggers your own performance anxiety, and get some new ideas about how to cope? Join your peers in

The following proposal will be voted on at the February 2005 membership meeting Whereas: Local 802 has a mandate from the membership to promote live music and, Whereas: A significant portion of 802 dues moneys has been committed to public

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2005 Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members, Babich, Gagliardi, Giannini, Landolfi, Schaffner, Shankin and Controller Bogert. President Lennon excused on union business. Blumenthal chaired

NEGOTIATIONS ROUNDUP Irish Repertory Theatre. A two-year agreement was negotiated with the nonprofit Irish Repertory Theatre (Ciaran O’Reilly, producing director), which is the first long term agreement the theatre has signed with Local 802. Its current show is “After the

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: Recording Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members, Babich, Gagliardi, Giannini, Landolfi, Schaffner, Shankin, Whitaker, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Delia and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. President

On a warm afternoon last January, my wife and I spent the day strolling through the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, where we are members. As we walked toward the conservatory we heard the sound of a trumpet,

Joe Rutkowski graduated as a clarinet major from Mannes College in 1976, and took a summer job as custodian at the college, as did an oboe major who had graduated a year earlier. They both had teaching positions that began

Here’s a story that Joe Bennett gave me: The old Ed Sullivan Show featured a great variety of entertainment, from circus and vaudeville acts to the fine arts. Once Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn were booked for a pas de

For several years I had a cheap cell phone that I rarely used. I just kept it in my car for emergencies. Since the phone was never turned on, I never gave anyone the number. Once, about three years ago,

I lost another of my first friends in New York last December when Frank Isola passed away in Detroit. Frank was the first drummer I met when I moved to New York in 1950, when I was still a valve