Category Archives: All News

6th Annual Made In Hollywood Honors recognizes Los Angeles-scored films

The 6th Annual Made In Hollywood Honors recognized La La Land, Moana and Zootopia as this year’s Oscar-nominated features filmed here in California. All three motion pictures carry the distinct designation of having also been scored in Los Angeles by AFM Local 47 musicians.

Hosted by L.A. City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, the honors ceremony was held on the morning of February 16, 2017, at the Heart of Hollywood Terrace at 1600 VINE, which stands on the historic site of the Hollywood Brown Derby.
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BlackMusic, BlackWork Exhibit Showcases Historic Black Los Angeles Musicians Union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (download pdf)

WHAT:  Opening night of BlackMusic, BlackWork, a historical exhibition showcasing the African-American musicians union Local 767 of Los Angeles of the 1920s through 1950s.

WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, 6-9 p.m.

WHERE:
California Jazz and Blues Museum
4317 Degnan Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008

WHO:

–  John Acosta, President, American Federation of Musicians Local 47

–  Lola Smallwood Cuevas, Co-Founder, Los Angeles Black Worker Center

–  Albert Lord, Deputy – South East, Council District 10 (Herb Wesson)

–  Deputy, Council District 8 (Marqueece Harris-Dawson)

–  Musicians and family members of historical Local 767

–  Live musical performances by Barbara Morrison & the Nedra Wheeler Trio
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Handy Blue Shield Application for Your Phone

Professional Musicians, Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund

In 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 →

Tickets on sale now for BlackMusic, BlackWork exhibit opening Feb 23

(pdf flyer)

Join us Feb 23 for the BlackMusic, BlackWork historical Black musicians union 767 exhibit opening

On the evening of February 23, please join us for the launch of BlackMusic, BlackWork, a historical exhibition that explores the unsung bravery and artistry of Black working musicians of Central Avenue in Los Angeles whose work transformed L.A.’s music industry forever.

Developed by AFM Local 47, Los Angeles Black Worker Center, and UCLA Labor Center and History Department, the exhibition opening event takes place at the new California Jazz and Blues Museum, opened by acclaimed jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison. Continue reading →

President’s Day – Local 47 Political Town Hall Meeting

(pdf flyer)

RSVP: organizing@promusic47.org, 323.993.3143

Sign up to be a Local 47 Activist

If you cannot attend our Town Hall, there are still ways to be involved! Sign up for our Local 47 Activists List and tell us what issues matter to you most. You will receive notifications of Local 47 actions and campaigns that protect our jobs and our livelihood.

Remembering David Axelrod

Photo by B Plus, courtesy of Dana Axelrod

On Feb. 5, 2017, composer, arranger and producer David Axelrod, whose work has been sampled by several of the biggest names in hip hop, passed away at the age of 83. 

This interview with Linda A. Rapka was originally published in the May 2011 issue of the AFM Local 47 Overture newspaper.

A golden producer in the heyday of Capitol Records, David Axelrod lent his magic to hit jazz, funk and soul records of the 1960s and ’70s. He churned out a succession of gold records and top singles with artists including Lou Rawls, Cannonball Adderley and the Electric Prunes, and his signature sound is a sampling favorite of today’s hip hop artists. His keen eye for spotting unlikely successes garnered him a lasting imprint on some of the most eccentric albums of the era. Sailor-mouthed and charmingly surly, Axelrod minces no words about his improbable highs and cavernous lows during six decades in the industry. Continue reading →

February 2017 Overture Online: Black History Month

Black History Month

How the roots of our past continue to shape us today

Women’s Marches Celebrate Diversity
Millions around the world join in solidarity at Presidential Inauguration rallies around the world

BlackMusic, BlackWork – Opens February 23
New historical exhibition explores the legacy of the Black Los Angeles musicians union Local 767

Los Angeles Honors the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King
Thousands turn out for annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast and Kingdom Day Parade

Jazz Goes to School
LAUSD students learn about the roots of America’s original art form throughout Black History Month

and more!

The Overture Online app is available FREE @ Apple App Store & Google Play:

  
Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. For those without access to a smart device, this issue may be viewed on a web browser (must have flash enabled). Local 47 members may download archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.

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