Category Archives: Features

Book Review: ‘I Have Hundreds of Stories, Some of Them True’ by Russell Garcia

garcia book‘I Have Hundreds of Stories, Some of Them True’

Author: Russell Garcia

In a unique refreshing style, world-renowned composer/arranger/conductor Russell Garcia relates the stories of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood during his many years writing music for films and television in his posthumously released book, “I Have Hundreds of Stories, Some of Them True.”

His inimitable, delightful sense of humor comes through even when he’s winning World War II single-handed. This is a wonderful inspiring book by a legendary icon who spent some 70 years in the music business. As a young boy in school, he taught himself to play trumpet and organized his own little band.  Fortunately, in high school, he had teachers who recognized his genius and encouraged him to write music. He later studied with Ernst Toch, Edmond Ross and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. His break came when he substituted for an ill colleague on a radio show. Subsequently, he went on to become a composer/arranger at NBC Studios for television, and his work can still be heard today on such shows as “The Twilight Zone,” “Laredo,” “Fame is the Name of the Game” and “Rawhide.” Continue reading

YOLA Harmony Project Goes Live at Super Bowl 50

sb50a

Student youth orchestra performs with Coldplay during the big game’s halftime show

Classical music gained some major cool points on Super Bowl Sunday when members of Harmony Project’s Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) led by Maestro Gustavo Dudamel performed during the halftime show with Coldplay. Continue reading

H&W: Handy Blue Shield App for Your Phone

A message from the Professional Musicians, Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund:

GoogleNexus5_flier_mergedIn today’s on-the-go-wireless world, many of us rely on phone apps for almost every daily need. Well, it was only a matter of time before health insurers would get into app development and releases.

For Blue Shield, that time has arrived and if you are a Fund participant who has enrolled for the Blue Shield coverage, you can download the Blue Shield Mobile App for your smart phone (assuming, of course, your phone is compatible with the app). As they say: “There’s an app for that!” Continue reading

Free Income Tax Preparation and Family Resource Fair

Thousands of dollars could be yours this tax season thanks to the state and federal earned income tax credit. The Board of Equalization and Chairman Jerome E. Horton will host Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) events where low-to-moderate income families will be eligible to file their taxes for free.

Local 47 is a proud partner in the VITA program and encourages all members to learn more about this important assistance resource.
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John Williams Receives Lifetime Contribution to Hollywood Award

Renowned composer, Local 47 member John Williams was honored at the 2016 Made in Hollywood Honors event for his works including the locally scored "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." (Photo by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47)

Renowned composer, Local 47 member John Williams was honored at the 2016 Made in Hollywood Honors event for his works including the locally scored “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” (Photo by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47)

Made In Hollywood Honors event honors renowned composer for works including L.A.-scored ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

Story & photos by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47

Entertainment industry VIPs, local union officials and political leaders celebrated this year’s Oscar-nominated films made here in California at the Made In Hollywood Honors Oscar event Feb. 4, 2016. Continue reading

15.5 Million Tune in to ‘Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors’

Composers Mark Leggett (left) and Velton Ray Bunch (right) with Dolly Parton. Photo by Crystal Mangano

Dolly Parton’s childhood came to life on NBC this past December, drawing the biggest viewing audience for an original television movie since 2011. “Coat of Many Colors,” watched by 15.5 million viewers, is based on Parton’s early years growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Continue reading

15.5 Million Tune in to ‘Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors’

Composers Mark Leggett (left) and Velton Ray Bunch (right) with Dolly Parton. Photo by Crystal Mangano

Composers Mark Leggett (left) and Velton Ray Bunch (right) with Dolly Parton. Photo by Crystal Mangano

Dolly Parton’s childhood came to life on NBC this past December, drawing the biggest viewing audience for an original television movie since 2011.  “Coat of Many Colors,” watched by 15.5 million viewers, is based on Parton’s early years growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Continue reading

Bringing It All Back Home – Life Member Pat Longo returns to his roots

Pat LongoAfter more than 50 years in Los Angeles, big band musician Pat Longo has returned to his roots and moved back to his hometown of Lodi, New Jersey.

As Pat likes to say, “the Longo Train has made many stops.” He has performed at The Vintage Club, The Academy Awards Governors Ball, New Years Eve Gala at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion… along with famed conductor Zubin Mehta and the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra, Caesar’s Palace and The Golden Nugget. He has entertained and worked side by side with such stars as Seth MacFarlane, Adam Levine and Jimmy Kimmel. Continue reading

Pixar Roars Out a Winner With ‘The Good Dinosaur’

Production still courtesy Pixar / Walt Disney Pictures

What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct?

So posits Pixar in the enchanting computer-animated fantasy “The Good Dinosaur.” Luckily for young dinosaur Arlo, his parents and his two siblings, the mighty reptiles were not wiped out 65 million years ago. Continue reading