Allegro
Currently Browsing: February, 2009
Unprecedented: The Musical Making of a President
Black History Month
Pete Seeger (center) with his grandson Tao at left and Bruce Springsteen at right, singing “This Land is Your Land” at the celebration for Barack Obama two days before his inauguration, at the Lincoln Memorial. When James Weldon Johnson wrote
The Jazzman, the Boxer and the Pitcher
Black History Month
VISIT ARMSTRONG’S HOUSE! Louis Armstrong’s longtime home in Corona, Queens, is now open to the public, offering guided tours six days a week. Come visit the home of the world’s most famous jazz musician! The Louis Armstrong House Museum is
Westchester Philharmonic Wins First Union Contract
New agreement mirrors union’s freelance scale
The musicians of the Westchester Philharmonic recently ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with Local 802. The new two-year contract, which runs through June 30, 2010, came about as a result of changes taking place at the artistic level of
The Political Economy of Collective Bargaining: Health Care
The function and purpose of every union is to act in the interests of its members. To put it another way, the purpose of the union is to secure respect. Respect for the members’ time in the form of good
Avoiding a Budgetary Disaster
President's Report
As I write this column, the economic downturn continues and the consequences of the recession are being felt, not only in the personal finances of all citizens, but also in the budgets of state and local governmental bodies. Here in
Honey and Liquid Fire
African-American composers and the classical tradition
Clarence Cameron White Put the words “music” and “Harlem Renaissance” into a web search engine and you’ll learn of the triumph of jazz and of bandleader Duke Ellington — one of the most prolific composers in American history. Indeed, jazz
Bad Borrowing
Instruments were entrusted to a friend. Now it’s time to return them.
When I was growing up, I often “borrowed” items belonging to my sisters without their knowledge or permission. Upon discovery of my actions, when they implored me to return it, I would retort, “Possession is nine-tenths of the law.” This
‘Standing on the Shoulders of Those Who Came Before Me’
Member Spotlight
Local 802 member Ricky Gordon submitted this essay about one of our most famous members. HONORING A LEGEND: On Nov 19, the New York City Council honored legendary jazz musician Bill Lee at City Hall with a proclimation of his life’s
How to Pack a Room
Organizing Matters
Because we believe that a well-informed membership is key to assertiveness in contract enforcement and organizing, Local 802 is in the knowledge business. Knowing more about union benefits and contracts strengthens the union and the bargaining position of every musician.
Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?
The French Quarter was deserted after Hurricane Gustav hit New Orleans. Three Years After Katrina – and Four Months After Gustav – Musicians in the Big Easy Tell Their Stories Last fall marked the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. New
Free Health Care?
Medicaid may give you the help you need
Do you qualify for Medicaid? For the answer or for more information, call Local 802’s Musicians’ Assistance Program at (212) 397-4802 and ask to speak to Cindy Green, the union’s social worker. Times are tough. We are in an economic
What to Do in a Health Insurance Emergency
I’m a Local 802 member who was recently involved in a health insurance emergency. I had a critical medical condition and no way to pay for it. My medical bills on leaving the hospital totaled just under $150,000, not including
The Musicians’ Voice
The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. The letters published here do not necessarily express the views of Local 802. Letters must be 300 words or less. Send them to Allegro, c/o Local
Protect Yourself – and Get Paid
When you get called to play on a recording, it’s not always clear who has backed the session: a label, an artist or a freelance producer. But this detail can have big consequences when it’s time to get paid. The
Why Did You Join the Union?
From time to time, as space permits, Allegro will spotlight some new or readmitted members. Having just moved to New York City to pursue my career in music, I thought joining Local 802 would be a great way to familiarize myself
Breaktime Answers
Crossword & Sight-Sing Solutions
Sight-Singing Answer: Theme from the movie “Jaws,” by John Williams. Across 1- Dolls’ counterparts GUYS 5- Command before aim READY 10- Band jacket COAT 14- Sweet sandwich OREO 15- Make your case ARGUE 16- Recess APSE 17- Zounds! EGAD 18-
Executive Board Minutes
November 25, 2008 - December 16, 2008
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008 Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Johansen, Rizzo, Schaffner, Schwartz and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. Recording Vice President
Bill Crow’s Band Room
I had a long day at the office recently, and that same evening I was playing some quiet jazz up in Westchester with Carmen Leggio’s trio. During Hiroshi Yamazaki’s piano solo, I nearly nodded off, catching myself just as I