Allegro
Currently Browsing: April, 2013
We’re Getting Our Message Out
President's Report
Jazz is truly one of America’s gifts to world music. Many Local 802 members are jazz musicians and jazz is a critical part of the history of both Local 802 and New York City. Congress has even declared jazz to
The rebirthing of New Orleans
Seven years after Hurricane Katrina, the state of jazz is very much alive
Each year, for our Jazz Appreciation Month issue, we ask Nanette Ledet, our correspondent in New Orleans, to give us her take on the state of jazz there. This year marks the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. As I began
Bed, Breakfast – and Live Music
Hotel musicians win a 9 percent raise in their new contract
Where can you enjoy a fantastic evening of live music in the classiest setting, while knowing that the musicians are covered by a union contract? The answer is New York City’s top hotels, which include the Carlyle, Pierre, Plaza, St.
On the Move
Recording Vice-President's Report
The AFM gets serious about organizing – and what that means for our jazz campaign I was recently in Portland for the Western Conference of AFM Locals where Paul Frank, the AFM’s new director of organizing, conducted a full-day version
Positive Thinker
Bill de Blasio has high hopes and big plans
Bill de Blasio, the NYC public advocate, announced his candidacy for mayor earlier this year. Previously, he served as a City Council member, representing the 39th district in Brooklyn. Local 802’s political director K.C. Boyle recently sat down with de
Bernard Purdie Gives Back
The master drummer and hit-maker is also a gifted educator
Ladies and gentlemen, what can I say about Bernard “Pretty” Purdie? He is a giant in the music industry and probably one of the most recorded drummers in history. He’s played and recorded with some the greatest artists that have
It’s Earth Day: Tree huggers unite!
Earth Day is around the corner (it’s April 22) – and to the extent that any of us pay attention to it, it’s a pretty ho-hum thing if acknowledged at all. The first Earth Day was in 1970 and it’s
Rock and Recycling
Guitar strings turn into art
I’ve always loved recycling. Call me weird, call me a typical Virgo, but ever since I was a little kid I’ve actually taken quite a bit of pleasure in sorting plastics from paper, glass from cans and bottle caps from
Grace Under Fire
The rising star of Lakecia Benjamin
Lakecia Benjamin is a study in concentration. As she stands on a crowded stage, bobbing her head to the sounds of fellow saxophonist James Carter, she knows she’ll be called on momentarily to take her turn at the microphone. It’s
‘Give me my copyright back!’
Legal Corner
Harvey Mars is counsel to Local 802. Legal questions from members are welcome. E-mail them to HsmLaborLaw@HarveyMarsAttorney.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
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
The Double Life of Billy Tipton
Jazz musician was born a woman but spent career passing as a man
One Saturday morning in January 1989, an emergency call summoned paramedics to a trailer park on the outskirts of Spokane, Washington, the home of Billy Tipton, an aging white jazz musician. Tipton had been very ill, too weak to leave
My father, the drummer
My father, the drummer Vincent Ocharsky (also known as Vinnie Owens), died on Jan. 26 at the age of 89. He had been a Local 802 member since 1942. My dad had a typical childhood, growing up in the Lower
‘Why we joined the union’
I began singing at the age of 16. My earliest influences were Sarah Vaughan, Morgana King, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Nina Simone and Laura Nyro. Throughout the years, I’ve performed at Dangerfield’s in NY, the Clef Club in Philadelphia, Chaplin’s
Executive Board Minutes
January 15, 2013 - February 19, 2013
NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on Feb. 5. Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Meeting called to order at 11:16 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cranshaw, Dougherty, Hyde,
Thanks for the memories, Local 802
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, food stamps and