Allegro
Currently Browsing: February, 2017
A Bittersweet Time
President's Report
I write these words with a heavy heart, but also with gratitude for the many musicians who have reached out to me over the past few weeks. On Jan. 12, my wife of 27 years, Yukiko, died after a long
Union Beat
STANDING UP FOR RECORDING MUSICIANS: AFM President Ray Hair (above, left) joined Local 802 political director Chris Carroll at the January meeting of the NYC chapter of the Recording Musicians’ Association. They discussed the status of the ongoing Sound Recording
NYU on Unfair List
New York University and Vice Dean Ted Magder have been placed on the AFM International Unfair List due to their unwillingness to cover Local 802 musicians under any agreement. NYU employs Local 802 members as independent contractors in its film
Three Things the Union Cannot Ignore
Financial Vice President's Report
My last two Allegro columns dealt with national political issues that will need our constant attention throughout the next few years. The union will continue to foster supportive conversations and interactions to talk about these issues. Those kinds of discussions
Announcing the formation of Local 802’s Artist Rights Caucus
We’re proud to announce the formation of Local 802’s Artist Rights Caucus. If you’re a session player, recording artist, composer, songwriter, or member of any band or ensemble that needs to have a recording out in order to tour, we
There’s Work To Do
A new administration in Washington means a busy year ahead
If the start of 2017 has been any indication, this will be a busy year for Americans, musicians, New Yorkers and our union President Trump is now in the White House. The new administration brings great apprehension to many Americans,
Good news from the Local 802 musicians’ health fund
By now, all participants in the Musicians’ Health Fund have received notification of the changeover from MagnaCare (medical) and Blue Cross (hospital) administration to Aetna, taking effect March 1, 2017. For quite some time, the Fund’s Board of Trustees (BOT)
New health center for Local 802 members and the entire entertainment community
Want excellent health care, without the song and dance? The brand-new Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts is a thrilling addition to the many services provided by the Actors Fund for all Local 802 members. The new
Jazz Mentors gathers momentum
All photos by Walter Karling The Jazz Mentors series, presented by Local 802 and the Council for Living Music, closed out 2016 with two strong events in November and December. Enthusiastic audiences filled Local 802’s Club Room to hear established
Don’t let copyright get drowned out by the noise
Copyright considerations for music professionals
Copyright and the protection of intellectual property in the digital age are priorities for Local 802 and the AFM. Over four months in these pages, copyright expert David Newhoff will contribute this guest column, which will discuss the history and
The Musicians’ Voice
E-mail letters to allegro@local802afm.org or write to Allegro, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. Letters must be no more than 300 words. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of Local 802. Response to
What’s up with our pension fund?
Member to Member
I recently received a memo, “Important Information from the Board of Trustees of the American Federation of Musicians and Employer’s Pension Plan.” Basically, it says the AFM pension plan – my pension plan, your pension plan for anyone reading this
How Afro Latinas & Latinos redefined mainstream pop
Although the Latin community prides itself on its diversity and the multiple, rich mix of cultures, Afro-Latinas and Afro-Latinos are often overlooked in terms of recognition, inclusion and contributions to black history. The multiple dimensions of Latin and Hispanic identity
Good Vibrations
The unique sound of Jack DeJohnette
In a career that spans five decades and includes collaborations with some of the most iconic figures in modern jazz, NEA Jazz Master and Grammy winner Jack DeJohnette, a member of Local 802 for four decades, has established an unchallenged
Can you copyright a chord progression?
Legal Corner
This article from the February 2017 issue of Allegro magazine...
Jazz in the Afternoon
At Local 802, musicians support their fellow artists. We just kicked off our second year of producing a monthly benefit concert called “Jazz in the Afternoon,” featuring top Local 802 talent, with all proceeds benefiting the Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency
The Jazz Art of Mort Kuff
Louis Armstrong/Count Basie
Jazz artist and Allegro contributor Mort Kuff recently penned these illustrations of the Count Basie band (above) and Louis Armstrong. Kuff told Allegro: “When it comes to celebrating Black History Month in terms of jazz – America’s classical music –
Local 802 during the swing era
The ten-year period from 1936 to 1946 marked the largest surge forward in the American labor movement, a Renaissance of American popular culture, and a leftward shift in the political culture of the nation. It also marked a heyday for
Requiem & Reminiscences
LARRY ABEL My husband, Larry Abel, a member of Local 802 since 1956, died on Dec. 27 at the age of 83. Larry loved being a musician and copyist. He was a steadfast supporter of the AFM and Local 802
Executive Board Minutes
August 16, 2016 - September 6, 2016
NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on Aug. 23, 2016. TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016 Meeting called to order at 11:03 a.m. by President Gagliardi. Present: Financial Vice President Olcott, Executive Board members Cutler, Hyde, Kruvand, Sharman, Suttmann, Assistant to
‘Why we joined the union’
I joined Local 802 after being asked to play “Elf: The Musical” at Madison Square Garden. It makes all the sense in the world to be a union member. As many of us know as freelancers, you are your only
‘Why we joined the union’
I am honored to be a new member of Local 802 as a professional fiddle player. I moved to New York City from Nashville to pursue my passion for music and performance. I graduated from Belmont University in 2012 with
‘Why we joined the union’
I recently moved to Manhattan and joined Local 802 to gain access to top performance opportunities, health insurance and a pension. I also joined the union as an investment in safe and fair working conditions. After going to school in
‘Why we joined the union’
I joined the union because I was asked to play a beautiful, wacky Off Broadway musical called “Iowa” by Jenny Schwartz and Todd Almond, which appeared at Playwrights Horizons. It was a tremendous opportunity for me to play my own
‘Why we joined the union’
I joined Local 802 because I am beginning to work as a Broadway producer and want to be a musician-friendly producer. I joined the union as a sign of solidarity. I created a show last year called “The Quentin Tarantino
The Band Room
February '17
While I was a member of Local 802’s Executive Board I got to know Shorty Vest, the late secretary/treasurer of AFM Local 70-558 (Omaha) on one of his many trips to New York. Shorty had been a drummer around the