Allegro
Currently Browsing: June, 2012
Positively Union
President's Report
New York Musical Theatre Festival does the right thing I am always happy to start my monthly report with good news. The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), a crucial incubator for new musical theatre in New York City, has
Off Broadway musicians make gains in new contracts
If it’s off Broadway, it’s union! Local 802’s Theatre Department continues to organize new shows each month, including developmental reading productions and workshops. Remember, if you get called to play music for a theatre show, reading or workshop – no
The Musicians’ Voice
The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. The letters here do not necessarily express the views of Local 802. E-mail letters to Allegro@Local802afm.org or write to Allegro, Local 802, 322 West 48th
Get paid four times for one job?
It can happen to you...
Sometimes, getting paid isn’t enough. It’s how you get paid that matters in the long run. What do I mean by that? Well, a non-union cash job can provide you with some income for the night. But a union gig
Undead Festival goes union
Performing at the Undead Festival under a union contract are Steven Bernstein (trumpet), Kenny Wollesen (drums) and Tony Scherr (bass) At right, John Medeski (keyboard) and Bob Stewart (tuba). Musicians enjoyed guaranteed wages and recording protection for the first time
Lights, camera, action
Playing (or miming) your instrument in front of a camera for a movie or TV show is called sideline work. Producers sometimes call Local 802 to hire musicians for these kinds of jobs, and the union keeps a photo file
It pays to produce in New York
If you’re a producer or if you know one, please spread the news. In November 2010, Allegro published an article (http://bit.ly/FilmTaxCredit), which reported on New York State film production tax credits as enacted or updated by the New York State
Before you play a club, find out its rep
Before you take a gig, you might want to check out www.Venuology.com, where musicians rate various clubs in New York City and beyond. Two years after its launch, Venuology.com, billed as the “Yelp for musicians,” is providing an interesting glimpse
The Doctor is in
Larry Ridley's jazz multiverse
It’s 1967, and a 30-year old Larry Ridley is standing next to his friend and bandmate, Thelonious Monk, on the floor of the Roseland Ballroom. It’s a Wednesday afternoon, one of the regular days of Local 802’s hiring halls. Ridley
The gift of freedom
Larry Ridley remembers John Coltrane
John Coltrane (1926-1967) Over his lifetime, Ridley has played with hundreds of famous musicians. A short list would have to include Duke Ellington, Hank Mobley, Sonny Stitt, Joe Newman, Roy Eldridge and Dinah Washington. But his eyes light up when
The dog is back in town
Legal Corner
Harvey Mars is counsel to Local 802. Legal questions from members are welcome. E-mail them to JurMars566@aol.com. Harvey Mars’s previous articles in this series are archived at www.HarveyMarsAttorney.com. (Click on “Publications & Articles” from the top menu.) Nothing here or
A great night in Harlem
Scenes of Spring
Musicians played their hearts out at the annual fundraiser for the Jazz Foundation of America, whose mission is to help musicians in need. Local 802 members made up the core of the band, with many special guests as well. Photos
The sweet sound of a new contract
Scenes of Spring
Local 802 is pleased to announce that the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra ratified a successor agreement earlier this spring. After almost six months of negotiations, with unprecedented participation by band members, Local 802 negotiators managed to secure modest gains in
Occupy May Day!
Scenes of Spring
Local 802 provided the essential ingredients of music and joy for the May Day parade. Even the cops enjoyed our tunes. Later that night, musicians paraded to jazz clubs. Top photo, from left: Mike Christianson, Dion Tucker, David Sheldon and
Big sound
Scenes of Spring
The Queens Symphony Orchestra under conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos recently performed a new work for 45 instrumentalists and 190 vocalists entitled “1001 Voices: a Symphony for Queens,” at Queens College. Tabla player Deep Singh was a featured soloist. The work was
‘Why we joined the union’
Eli Brueggemann Andre Chez Lewis Gary M. Garzetta David Kaye Kenny Weydener Anthony Rubbo I joined Local 802 after I recently moved to NYC from Los Angeles to become the musical director at “Saturday Night Live.” I came here primarily
Freedom to love
Musicians' Assistance Program
The office of the Musicians’ Assistance Program is your one-stop shop for musicians’ health. We offer counseling – both one-on-one and in groups – as well as information on all kinds of social services, including health insurance, housing, food stamps
Executive Board Minutes
March 27, 2012 - April 3, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Meeting called to order at 11:10 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Burridge, Brandford, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Kruvand, Roach, Sharman, Assistant to the President Boyle. It was
Calendar of Events
June 2012
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 JAM SESSION 7:00pm Club Room 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 JAM SESSION 7:00pm Club Room 12 ACTORS WORK PROGRAM 5:30pm Club Room
Bill Crow’s Band Room
Greg Thymius passed along a story Harvey Estrin once told him, about an event at the Waldorf-Astoria for president Richard Nixon. There was a long break between the rehearsal and the performance, and during the break, Harvey squeezed in a