Allegro

Currently Browsing: July, 2010

Change is Here
Tino Gagliardi
The AFM convention gave us a new president and new responsibilities: Local 802 is once again represented on the International Executive Board It was quite a trip. As I write this, the Local 802 delegation has just returned from the

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Jay Blumenthal
Photo: Larry Fink/Studio 535 The musicians of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra have ratified a new three-year contract., which boasts big gains even in the middle of a recession. The contract, which covers the period Sept. 1, 2010 to Aug. 31,

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Todd Bryant Weeks
CAMPAIGN IN ACTION: Recording rep Diana Cohn with pianist and Local 802 member Larry Fuller in front of the Blue Note on June 10. Fuller appears regularly with the John Pizzarelli Quartet. Photo: Todd Bryant Weeks Ron Carter, Paul Motian,

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Diana Cohn
What’s a composer to do in the 21st century? A panel of experts spoke their minds – and the sparks flew Composers and their allies discussed the ins and outs of their art at a June 15 conference at Local

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The new threat of terrorism affects theatre musicians
Marisa Friedman
Evacuate! The attempted car bombing of Times Square on May 1 affected theatre audiences – and musicians. Photo by “Rockinfree” via Flickr.com Terrorism affects everyone – including theatre musicians. Thanks to the attempted car bombing in Times Square on May

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The job of maintaining standards for musicians belongs to all of us
Karen Fisher
Photo: © Jim DeLillo via iStockPhoto.com In the labor movement, we talk about “respect” because it is one of the fundamental ideas on which the movement is built. As performers, we must demand that the fruits of our labor, specifically

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Shane Gasteyer
Jazz education is alive and well – and Local 802 can prove it. This spring, the inaugural conference of the Jazz Education Network was held in St. Louis, on the campus of the University of Missouri. Recording Vice President John

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When Hollywood added sound to movies, it was a revolution
If we don’t know our own history, we’re doomed to repeat it. Local 802 member Dave Schneck recently read about the AFM’s campaign against “talkies” in the 1930’s. Silent movies used to be bread and butter to live musicians, who

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When Nashville called, New York answered
Rosanne Cash John Leventhal A tragedy like this cannot be ignored. Massive rains in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi in early May caused major flooding and extensive damage. But the floods were almost completely ignored by the mainstream media. Many musicians

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Kenny Davis keeps it real
Todd Bryant Weeks
Kenny Davis is known as an acoustic jazz bassist who doubles on electric, but he’s one of those versatile performers who has appeared in hundreds of distinctive settings – jazz, pop, Broadway, gospel, hip hop – and with a multitude

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Thoughts on Ray Cohen and the business of live music
Dutch Wolff
Earlier this year, I went to the Palace Hotel to hear friend and pianist Ray Cohen. Ray had played in the lobby for 14 years, a lifetime. It was his last night. He had been terminated at the hotel’s convenience.

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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

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Legal Corner
Harvey Mars, Esq.
It’s the diamond anniversary of the National Labor Relations Act. Otherwise known as the Wagner Act, this bedrock legislation provides the foundation for modern labor management relations. It’s now 75 years after its enactment, and the NLRA is a law

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802 OPPOSES ANTI-IMMIGRATION LAW Justice now! The Local 802 Executive Board has unanimously passed a motion opposing Arizona’s anti-immigration legislation. The union will also send a letter to the governor of Arizona expressing our opposition. Arizona’s infamous anti-immigration law is

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‘GREAT NIGHT IN HARLEM’ CONTRACT GETS A BOOST The Jazz Foundation of America recently came to the bargaining table to address contract recording language for the JFA’s annual “Great Night in Harlem” gala event. At issue was a side letter

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Emmanuelle Bordas Timothy Lutte Anne Tortora Kevin Garcia Rob Kovacs I joined Local 802 for professional reasons. I wanted to be considered a real and a serious musician in New York City. My musical goal is to be able to

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JAIME SUAREZ AUSTRIA Jaime Suarez Austria, 62, a bassist and a Local 802 member since 1968, died on May 21. Mr. Austria was born in Manila, the Philippines. As a child he studied piano, trumpet, accordion, and guitar. He fell

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April 13, 2010 - May 25, 2010
NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on April 6 or April 27 TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010 eeting called to order at 11:08 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Babich, Burridge,

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July/August 2010
Date Event Time Location 7/5 Mon. CLOSED: INDEPENDENCE DAY     7/12 Mon. MAP NETWORKING MEETING 2:00 PM Club Room 7/12 Mon. JAZZ FOUNDATION JAM SESSION 7:00 PM Club Room 7/19 Mon. JAZZ FOUNDATION JAM SESSION 7:00 PM Club Room

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Bill Crow
It was an unhappy day when we said goodbye to Hank Jones, who passed away on May 16 at the age of 91. He was one of the most wonderful jazz pianists to ever grace this city. I had been

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