As recording negotiations continue, we’re fighting off regressive proposals from the industry. However, both sides have a common enemy: piracy With this issue, we welcome readers to the new all-color, glossy format of Allegro. We believe that it will be

Local 802 recently joined forces wit the Council for Living Music, which commissioned a survey of Broadway audiences. We now have hard data to support our claim that the public wants more live music, not less. Above, one page of

The Met Opera Orchestra recently clinched a new contract. Earlier this summer, the opera toured Japan (above). See Duncan Patton’s story about the tour in this issue. We achieved deals with the Met Opera and with Radio City. Plus, we’re

WE ARE THE 99 PERCENT! Local 802 members, staff and officers came together with other unions to Occupy Wall Street on Oct. 5. The Local 802 Executive Board voted unanimously to support the march. We received letters for and against

For more events and to get a complete, downloadable calendar, see www.NewYorkLaborHistory.org JEWS AND BASEBALL: AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY Narrated by Dustin Hoffman Thurs., May 19, 6 – 9 p.m. Film screening/discussion with filmmaker Peter Miller & sports columnist Dave

A recent New York Times article on the “mournful coda” of the NYC music scene has caused a stir. Here’s how I feel about it… Let me begin my report with an apology. Last month, Allegro published a number of

Union supporters in Wisconsin protest the proposed legislation to gut collective bargaining rights for public workers. Arts advocates could learn from these demonstrators. Photo: Zak((Again)))) via Flickr.com Here we go again. With familiar clichés about “making tough choices in these

By holding the line with ‘Priscilla’ now, we’re protecting audiences in the future A few weeks ago Local 802, in cooperation with the Council for Living Music, launched our Save Live Music On Broadway campaign. We urge those of you

I would like to say goodbye to the membership of Local 802. I retired on Sept. 23 and by the time this issue is in your hands, I already expect to be located in my house in a little backwater

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

It all began in the early 1990’s on a two hour ride in the back of a van from Denver to Vail, Colorado. Sharing the ride were two men who were in Colorado for the same purpose as I. We

Fiona Simon, Local 802 member since 1982. At the age of four, Fiona Vanderspar Simon met the violin and that was it. She knew that was her future. Simon, a Local 802 member since 1982, began her musical career as

In a city full of excellent musicians, how does one stand apart as exceptional? A lot has to do with keeping a positive attitude, if you ask Don Batchelder, who holds the principal trumpet chair in the Stamford Symphony Orchestra,

“Dear Friends and colleagues…” Over many years as a member and committee chair, I sent out countless e-mails beginning with that salutation. I addressed those messages in that way because we on those committees were (and of course still are!)

John O’Connor Musicians make a joyful noise at the union’s big jazz rally on Sept 29, 2009. Photo: Ron Grunhut The time for waiting is over. Meet us in front of the Blue Note to make some noise. It’s time

Live music forever! Above, as ad promoting live music from an early issue of Allegro. When looking at our history, we see that live music campaigns are as old as the union itself Happy birthday to us! On Aug. 27,

“The Wrecking Crew” is a new documentary about the top studio musicians in L.A. who created more classic grooves than you can imagine. Above, Carol Kaye and Bill Pittman. Most musicians know that the made-for-TV rock group The Monkees didn’t

Local 802 was out in force on Feb. 14 as the union went after Chaim Rosenblatt Productions, a/k/a EvanAl Orchestras. We set up at two sites where EvanAl had contracted bands. Union leafleters visited the Eden Palace on Flushing Ave.

THEN AND NOW: Grossinger’s, the famous Catskills hotel (above) in its heyday. Local 802 recently received jurisdiction over this area, which has a new crop of venues, such as the Bethel Woods amphitheater (below), near the site of the original

How do we build an appetite for live musical theatre? That’s easy: teach the children WHO’S WHO: Young actors get a taste of live musical theatre at Broadway Boot Camp. From left, front row: Tyrig Nelson, Melissa Fishman, Nicholas Manna,

One of my duties as Local 802’s financial vice president is to provide the membership with a report on the financial condition of the union. The bylaws require that we get audited twice a year and publish the results in

As a demonstration of solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Brazil, Local 802 recently participated in the international protests against the Orquestra Symphônica Braziliera (OSB) auditions. The NYC auditions took place May 20 to 23 at Carroll Studios. In

The contract expired last year – it’s time to get the ball rolling again Local 802 has recently been working on stabilizing the Jewish club date field. The contract expired last year and after looking at the employers’ onerous proposals

Local 802 member Kathy Sommer casts her ballot. Musicians overwhelmingly approved the new agreement. Photo: Walter Karling Broadway musicians have a new contract. In mid-March, members of Local 802’s largest bargaining unit overwhelmingly ratified a new memorandum of agreement with

Of course not – but it’s time the city woke up and realized it When times are bad, teachers and the arts make easy targets. True to form, New York City has indeed cut spending on education during this recession.

Our new agreement with the Winter Jazzfest is a landmark. This is the first jazz festival under a union contract since the Charlie Parker Festival in Thompson Square, which was a one-day festival with two or three acts. The Winter

The fact that May is Labor History Month is a reminder that history should serve as a lesson, or else it is destined to be confined to the realm of nostalgia and useless sentimentality. For a good deal of the

Michael Bacon Emmy Award-winning composer and songwriter Michael Bacon will teach a new film scoring course at Lehman College starting in spring 2011. Bacon’s class, “Scoring For Film,” is the only such course to be offered at a public institution

After 90 years of “equality” – beginning with the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote – women jazz instrumentalists are still subject to what I call the Equal But Separate syndrome. The phrase harks

Harvey Mars is counsel to Local 802. Legal questions from members are welcome. E-mail them to JurMars566@aol.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

What is life after Juilliard like these days? Allegro recently spoke with 11 Juilliard grads about their past training and future goals, with a focus on the business side of music. These musicians are on the front line of how

A screen shot of Music for A Sound Future, a new web site that lets kids know about live music opportunities in the city. Nearly a year ago, Local 802 formed an Education Committee to address growing concerns over the

Do you know about “new use” payments? It’s another benefit to playing union gigs… Earlier this year, Local 802 President Tino Gagliardi asked me to attend the AFM new use meetings in Studio City, Calif., at the headquarters of the

When I was growing up in Wilson, North Carolina in the 1930’s, my grandma had a Victrola. We played those old, one-sided records. It was early jazz, kind of like pre-swing. Wilson was tobacco country. Every spring, producers from up

Walter Usiatynski, chair of the Broadway Theare Committee, with Marek (on shoulders) and Nikolai, at a recent rally. Photo: Macisaac/Epoch Times There is a battle raging in Wisconsin. It is between a newly-elected administration and the working class citizens of

Do you live near Local 802 and are you over 60? The Actors Fund will soon be conducting a survey of experienced entertainers living in the neighborhoods of Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea. These neighborhoods have historically been home to people

Hip hop artist Che “Rhymefest” Smith speaks at a panel about musicians and local community building at the 2011 Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit. Photo: Caroline “Puck” Deutermann Annual conference looks at the big issues, including new sources of

For the 12-month period ending Dec. 31, 2010, Local 802 realized a gain of $514,557, compared to a loss of $180,538 during the prior year. The audited financial statements for 2010 appear in the printed issue of May 2011 Allegro.

Conroy Warren How old is old? Local 802 members Richard Frank and Conroy Warren are at the height of their powers, but the nursing home residents they entertain consider them youngsters. Have you ever considered playing at a nursing home?

The Roots perform nightly as the house band with “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” which is covered by an AFM contract. In these photos are Damen “Tuba Gooding Jr.” Bryson (sousaphone), Owen Biddle (bass), Kirk “Captain Kirk” Douglas (guitar), Frank

Taxes are due this month, so here’s a war story about an actual musician who was audited by the IRS and how he saved himself, with a little help from his accountant (who just happens to be me!) Allow me

All Photos: Walter Karling This year, Local 802 sponsored two teams. Pictured is the union’s morning team. Back row, from left: Jim Robinson, Rod Kinter, Seneca Black, Todd Montgomery, Marc Rosenthal, Dave Olsen, Shawn Andrew and Joe Barati. Front row:

It has been a year and a half since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act became law. Now seems a good time to check in on its progress. First of all, what’s in this law that might be useful

WE WILL REMEMBER: The Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire was one of the worst tragedies in American labor history. One hundred and forty-six workers – mainly immigrant women and girls – lost their lives. The deaths were sue to the owners’

Musicians and supporters march through the streets, New Orleans style, at Local 802’s now-famous Justice for Jazz Artists rally that took place in September 2009. Photo: Enid Farber In 1953, when I came to New York from Boston to be

Gabriel Banat and a poster advertising the New York Philharmonic’s tour of Madrid in 1973. When New York Philharmonic management forced a strike in 1973, musicians organized their own tour – a one-of-a-kind event. A new book about those days

The union busting in Wisconsin brought out thousands of protestors. Many are waking up to how bad things have gotten. How did we get to a place where vilifying teachers, the arts and working families has become an accepted economic

Can an employer bypass the AFM and negotiate directly with a local? Harvey Mars is counsel to Local 802. Legal questions from members are welcome. E-mail them to JurMars566@aol.com. Harvey Mars’s previous articles in this series are archived at www.HarveyMarsAttorney.com.

Harvey Mars is counsel to Local 802. Legal questions from members are welcome. E-mail them to JurMars566@aol.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

Bronx Arts Ensemble tries for world record, but Mother Nature calls a different tune It was supposed to be a Guinness world record. The Bronx Arts Ensemble, which is covered by a Local 802 contract, came up with the idea

Musicians in Local 802’s Senior Concert Orchestra are older, wiser – and sounding better than ever Photos on these pages ©Jim Marchese/JimMarchese.com. For information on auditioning for the Senior Concert Orchestra, contact Dr. Lyn Christie at (914) 968-6036 or SeniorMusicians@gmail.com.

Photo: Jimmy Katz Marsha Heydt, a member of Local 802 since 2004, grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Allentown, in rural Pennsylvania. As a youngster, Heydt studied piano, sax, flute, clarient, voice and guitar. Each year she

Recently, Local 802 negotiated a cabaret agreement with Urban Stages for “Musical Legends.” The production showcases four individual bands and celebrates the life and music of Pearl Bailey, Kay Ballard, Nat “King” Cole, and Marlene Dietrich. We were able to

Leonard Arner Leonard Arner, 87, an oboist and a Local 802 member since 1941, died on Jan. 27. Mr. Arner was a member of the first graduating class of the High School of Music and Art. He studied at Juilliard

In order to preserve our history, Local 802 has donated its valuable collection of historical records to the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at NYU so that they can be made accessible to union members, students, scholars and the general

I want members of Local 802 to know that stealing hurts. I recently discovered that a Web site called www.Scribd.com was offering a download of my music technique book “How To Sight Read Jazz and Other Syncopated-Type Rhythms” for free

ARIANA BRONNE Ariana Bronne, 86, a violinist, died on March 9. She had joined Local 802 in 1941. Born in New York City, Ms. Bronne studied exclusively with her father, the renowned Russian violin pedagogue Raphael Bronstein. At the age

Ben Antelis Larry Cook Kat Gang Luke Short Jason Taylor Dave Wosniak Why did I join Local 802? I recently landed my first gig in which I would be performing on various TV and radio shows, and it was brought

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

If you get a bill from the doctor, do you have to pay all of it? Maybe not… The office of the Musicians’ Assistance Program is your one-stop shop for musicians’ health. We offer counseling – both one-on-one and in

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

Members and staff protested the Iraq occupation in 2007; Local 802 was a supporter of U.S. Labor Against the War. Should the union take official positions on outside conflicts? Photo: Walter Karling As I write this, I am 50,000 feet

The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players recently ratified an agreement that extends the contract until Feb. 28, 2011. In addition, an outstanding arbitration and unfair labor practice charge has been resolved. The grievance arose when the Players appeared at

Ralph Bowen Thomas Cavanagh Gregory M. Jones Aaron T. Patterson Naren Rauch Lawrence Rush Why did I join Local 802? To be part of a membership which includes some of the greatest musicians in the world. My musical goal in

Joe Madding (1920-2011) A true musician and entertainer has passed. Joe Madding, 91, a drummer, banjo player, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, died on July 23. He had joined Local 802 in 1953. Joe, whose first nickname was Buddy, was born in

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

Wondering how to build your career – especially during a recession? Recently, Local 802 partnered with the Actors Fund Work Program to present “Beyond the Gig: Building Your Career as a Musician.” We attracted a very healthy crowd of 50

Helena Mary Kaprielian Helena Mary Kaprielian, 83, a pianist and organist and a Local 802 member since 1951, died last year, on July 30, 2010. Ms. Kaprielian graduated from Fresno (Calif.) State University with a bachelor’s degree in music and

Rudolf Fellner Rudolf Fellner, 98, died on Sept. 2. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1952. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Mr. Fellner first studied piano as a child in his native Vienna, then went on to

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

Local 802 members perform at Labor Day Rally and for 10th anniversary of 9/11            

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

Dorothy Astwood Dorothy A. Astwood, 94, a pianist, died on June 2. In her high school years, Ms. Astwood performed on the “Dot and Dash Show” on local radio in Erie, Penn. During the 1930’s, she played the piano on

Tuesday, September 6, 2011 Meeting called to order at 11:17 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Burridge, Dougherty, Hyde, Schwartz, Sharman, Assistant to the President Donovan. It was moved and seconded

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

Phil Coiro Mary Helen Rowen Jonathan Monro David Cerullo Chris Reza Josh Schmidt I am a drummer/percussionist and I just closed the national tour of “A Chorus Line.” I joined Local 802 because it’s time: I have been on tour

Kenneth G. Adams Kenneth G. Adams, 65, a multi-instrumentalist and a Local 802 member since 1970, died on April 20. Mr. Adams earned a B.A. in music education from Howard University and an M.M. in clarinet from the Manhattan School

Jerad Lippi is one of Local 802’s newest members. He is a recent winner of the Guitar Center’s “Drum Off” contest in Philadelphia. Jerad attended the New School, and earned a B.A. and an M.A. from SUNY Purchase, where his

Hugga ReddaBlack Trevor Long Sarah Silverman Danny Weller R. Conrad Cornelison I am a song composer as well as an arranger of lyrics. I have been performing for at least 10 years, mostly independent work in the fields of reggae,

Tuesday, May 31, 2011 Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m.. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Burridge, Dougherty, Hyde, Kruvand, Olcott, Schwartz and Assistant to the President Donovan. It was moved

Living legend. They don’t make ‘em like that any more. Last of the best. Genius. Well, yes, Ray was all that, and more. He was er, uh – Ray Rapetti. Ray died Oct. 8, 2010, leaving sadness in the lives

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2011 Meeting called to order by Financial Vice President Blumenthal at 11:13 AM. Present: Blumenthal, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Burridge, Covo, Dougherty, Hyde, Kruvand, Olcott, Schwartz. President Gagliardi absent due to Sound Recording Labor

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 Meeting called to order at 11:04 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Burridge, Covo, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Schwartz, Sharman, Acting Assistant to the President Boyle. It was

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 Meeting called to order at 11:08 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Babich, Burridge, Dougherty, Hyde, Kruvand, Olcott, Schwartz, Sharman, Assistant to the President Donovan. It was

 

 

The union offices will be closed on the following holidays: Monday, January 17 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, February 21 Presidents’ Day Monday, May 30 Memorial Day (observed) Monday, July 4 Independence Day (observed Monday, September 5 Labor

A few years back in this column I wrote about the trombone case telephone that a stagehand rigged up for Merv Gold. It was in the days before cell phones. Merv had a button under his case handle that would

I’ve been saying goodbye to too many of my old friends lately. The latest one to go was Joe Morello, whose obit was in the last issue of Allegro. I met Joe when I joined Marian McPartland’s trio at the

The Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania publishes a very good jazz magazine called “The Note,” three times a year. Phil Woods had been a regular columnist there for several years, but took some time

Billy Triglia, 86, passed away on Feb. 3, closing a lovely chapter in my life. He was a jazz pianist born in the Bronx, who lived most of his life in Bergen County, New Jersey. I met him soon after

When Zoot Sims passed away in 1985, his widow, Louise, said that instead of a funeral, Zoot had asked that his friends throw a big party for him. With the help of many friends, she did, and those parties turned