Has the digital age been good to musicians? That bombshell question was recently asked by the New York Times in its cover magazine story, “The Creative Apocalypse That Wasn’t,” written by Steven Johnson. The article received a lot of blowback

As 2015 draws to a close, I want to start by acknowledging the service of our outgoing Recording Vice President John O’Connor. John started his music career as a folksinger, songwriter and recording artist, a phase of his career that

As we say hello to a new year, it’s time to reflect on our challenges and successes from 2014. I would be remiss if I didn’t start by mentioning Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner of Staten Island.

It has been a busy time at Local 802 and as always, there is plenty to report. First of all, I’d like to give you an update on the Local 802 elections. This year, there were no opposing candidates in

It’s always great to start with some positive news. The Paul Taylor Dance Company – now called Paul Taylor’s American Modern Dance – is once again performing with live music. The newly-renamed company just finished its inaugural season, featuring the

Summer is here and there’s a lot to report this month. First of all, our article in the May issue about the American Symphony Orchestra and Bard College went viral, attracting the most views of any article we’ve published in

Along with Assembly Member Joe Lentol (D-Brooklyn), and a coalition called New York is Music, Local 802 spent the last few months advocating for the inclusion in the budget of the Music Production Tax Credit, a $25 million state program

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE A Tribute and Celebration of Mary Whitaker (1952-2014) Sunday, May 3rd at 8 p.m. Cathedral of St. John the Divine (West 112 Street at Amsterdam) Details to follow in upcoming issues of Allegro and our e-newsletter

At this time in history, it’s more important than ever to march together as union members. The New York Central Labor Council announces its annual labor rally on Saturday, September 12. Local 802 members will begin marching promptly at 10

The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music’s part-time faculty are set to begin their next contract negotiations. We are coming to the negotiating table on the heels of the New School’s very contentious and protracted negotiations with its other

Local 802 announced in early June that the union has entered into a collective bargaining agreement with New York venue 54 Below. The agreement, which is the first of its kind between Local 802 and a major NYC nightclub, formally

Near the end of the summer, the New York Times Magazine published an article called “The Creative Apocalypse That Wasn’t,” by Steven Johnson. The article was disappointing to working artists in many different ways and we are grateful for the

May 1 is the deadline to apply for this year’s Anne Walker Scholarships. This is the 17th year that members of Local 802 and their children who are pursuing studies in music will have the opportunity to apply for these

What I learned from my “field trips” in 2015 and how it will help make us a more powerful union Several times each year, union leaders at Local 802 are given opportunities to travel beyond our walls in order to

Over 700 people came out to remember Mary Whitaker, whose life was taken last Aug. 20 at the age of 61. She had been a Local 802 member since 1976. The tribute program and concert was held at the Cathedral

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2014, Local 802 realized a gain of $408,073. The audited financial statements for this period appear in the printed issue. The Statement of Activities reflects an increase in total revenue of $438,019. There

It’s no news that being a full-time musician is getting harder and harder. There are lots of different reasons for this, including the rapidly changing landscape of musical culture. I quit doing music full-time in 1996 as the market was

With momentum from City Council and with new supporters, our jazz campaign is doubling down in 2015 The Justice for Jazz Artists campaign has gained many supporters over the years. Some of the most respected names in jazz have endorsed

There were no contested races this year, so the Local 802 elections slated for Dec. 1, 2015 have been called off and each duly nominated candidate has been deemed elected. On Sept. 25, 2012, the Local 802 Executive Board voted

How Local 802 spreads the message of union benefits to younger musicians – and how you can do it, too! The labor movement’s persistent message to its members – and to a wider national audience, to those who might listen

When Local 802 musicians led the labor contingent of the People’s Climate March last September, they were part of an event that sparked an already growing mass movement to pressure the leaders of this country and the rest of the

The 2016-2017 Local 802 directory will be compiled at the end of this year. Thousands of musicians receive a copy of this book and use it as a vital resource. Here’s how to check to make sure your information will

Every month, Allegro prints a column called “Why We Joined the Union” where members who have recently joined Local 802 say something about what brought them to do so. A typical answer will have to do with an engagement a

In the late 19th century, musicians in New York formed the Musical Mutual Protective Union to attempt to create fair prices for musical services. As the union grew, the strength to enforce prices grew with it. Of course, it was

Clark Terry, 94, a Local 802 member since 1954, died on Feb. 21. His career in jazz spanned more than 70 years. Mr. Terry was a world-class trumpeter, flugelhornist, educator, composer, writer, trumpet/flugelhorn designer, teacher and NEA Jazz Master. He

For those of my readers in their 40s or older, try for a moment to imagine how your life was before the advent of e-mail. Hard to do, isn’t it? (For my younger readers, this must seem impossible!) Before e-mail,

If you look up “Solidarity Forever” on Wikipedia, you will learn that the famous labor song – perhaps the most famous of labor songs anywhere in the world other than “The Internationale” – was written a hundred years ago by

The Pope played it union! Local 802 musicians performed two services for Pope Francis during his recent trip to the U.S., including an evening prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (pictured below) and the mass at Madison Square Garden. Musicians

Thank you for the article in the December issue about subway musicians and the law. I think this is a really important issue, but I also think you left a few things out – namely, the vague discrepancy between those

The nation’s top jazz honor is awarded each year by the National Endowment for the Arts. Out of this year’s four winners, two are longstanding members of Local 802, and we are pleased to publish exerpts from their NEA profiles

The 2016-2017 Local 802 directory will be compiled at the end of this year. Thousands of musicians receive a copy of this book and use it as a vital resource. Here’s how to check to make sure your information will

Clarinetist John Moses, a member of Local 802 since 1966, is at the top of his game. He’s performed with virtually every major ensemble in the area and is currently the first clarinetist with the American Composers Orchestra, the New

As I have remarked many times, the Internet has bred a whole host of legal conundrums that courts are only now catching up to. One of the more prominent problems arises when a person’s personal computer is hacked or unlawfully

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

(Click to read our cover story joint interview with John Leventhal and Rosanne Cash.) Local 802 member John Leventhal is a guitarist, arranger, and Grammy-Award winning producer and songwriter. He is married to Rosanne Cash and co-wrote and produced her

The Supreme Court has taken up a case with implications for songwriters – and anyone who posts on Facebook! “Da da make a nice bed for mommy at the bottom of the lake…tie a rope around this rock…there goes mama

Musicians in the North/South Consonance Ensemble rehearsing before a recent concert at Christ and St. Stephen’s Church on West 69th. Funding for the concert came in part from the Music Performance Trust Fund, and musicians enjoyed wages and benefits of

Imagine going to a car dealership and being given the following choice. For a nominal fee you can purchase a car that has a maximum speed of only 30 miles an hour. However, a car with a top speed of

They’re back! The Senior Concert Orchestra returned to Carnegie Hall this year, where it performed to a full house. Musical director David Gilbert conducted the ensemble, which is composed of the most experienced professionals in New York City, many of

Rosanne cash and John Leventhal’s new album “The River & The Thread” was recorded under a union contract, of course (see “Traveling Partners” interview). But that’s just one example of how they stand up for fellow musicians. Guitarist and Local

GO GREEN: “Sustainability is important to me, not just as a musician, but as a human being. We have a responsibility to look after our planet. Ideas for musicians: read music from digital devices instead of printing music on paper.

Unless you are a contractor or a negotiating committee member, chances are you have never stopped to read the contracts under which you work. Busy schedules and commitments often do not allow for a lot of down time, so this

Local 802 member David Eaton, conductor of the New York City Symphony (above), performed at the United Nations this summer under a union contract as part of the U.N.’s 70th anniversary under the theme of “The Transformative Power of Music.”

Life is a lot like jazz…it’s best when you improvise,” said George Gershwin. And when vocalists improvise, something powerful and primal happens. In late October, Music for a Sound Future and the Council for Living Music presented its second free

Live from New York – and under a union contract – it’s 40 years of Saturday Night Live! We recently asked band members to reminisce about the show. Here’s what they told us… LENNY PICKETT (leader) “What I like best

Photographer Kate Glicksberg was granted access to a recent cast album recording session of the Broadway show “The Visit,” currently playing at the Lyceum Theatre. The show has garnered five Tony nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. This

The answer to the old joke “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” is a great truism. This summer, Local 802 hosted another season of Inside Broadway’s Summer Stock Jr. program, where 14 lucky students enjoyed a full two-week camp

The Supreme Court rules that even the creepiest Facebook posts aren’t criminal unless the writer intended a true threat. This ruling protects perverts…but it also protects songwriters, artists and anyone using avant-garde imagery in their writing… Anthony Douglas Elonis is

The New York Pops was founded by Skitch Henderson in 1983 with a mission to create greater public awareness and appreciation of America’s rich musical heritage through presentation of concerts and education programs of the highest quality. Musicians who perform

On most Monday nights, you can hear the sounds of great jazz coming from Local 802 thanks to the jam session sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America. And now, the sounds are even sweeter: the Jazz Foundation recently renewed

As a New Orleans musician, when I think back on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina ten years later, I can vividly recall the bewildering sensation of sailing without a compass, living from day to day, as I was relocated nine

What is it about singing that enhances speech and our willingness to communicate? The research team at Mount Sinai Beth Israel’s Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine is eager to learn about the impact of singing on health and

The bandleader and composer James Reese Europe spent his first years in New York playing cabaret piano and mandolin in black shows. But by 1910, this work had begun to dry up. Undeterred, Europe organized a group called the Clef

A native New Yorker, violinist Lucy Morganstern grew up in a musical household. Her mother, a pianist, graduated from Juilliard at 18; her older brother and sister studied cello and violin. “My musical training was not typical,” Lucy relates. After

Radio City Music Hall is alive with the sound of Local 802 musicians performing the annual Christmas Spectacular show with the Rockettes. Musicians play up to six shows a day for nine weeks in this intense holiday gig. Allegro photographer

Carol Sudhalter smiles and sips herbal tea. At 71, the multi-reed player is in top form. An endorser of the union’s Justice for Jazz Artists campaign and a Downbeat poll winner, Sudhalter has just returned from her annual sojourn to

In his last weeks, Erwin Price took the time to write the following reminiscences, which he hoped would be published in Allegro. I was born to Russian immigrant parents in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston on July 4, 1922, and

I enjoyed the Allegro article from earlier this summer covering the 75th anniversary of the American Ballet Theatre. It reminded me of the very first year of the company’s existence. Leading into that year was a big musical and social

To join Local 802, call our Membership Department at (212) 245-4802 or visit www.afm.org/join As a bandleader, professional flutist and native New Yorker, I rejoined Local 802 because the union provides a venue for networking with booking agents and musicians

RICK CHAMBERLAIN Rick Chamberlain, 63, a trombonist and a Local 802 member since 1976, died on March 27. Mr. Chamberlain had played with the New York City Ballet since 1976 as a regular sub and since 1998 as principal trombone.

RONNIE BEDFORD Ronnie Bedford, 83, a drummer and a member of Local 802 since 1955, died on Dec. 20. Mr. Bedford’s first break was in 1949, when he went on the road with Louis Prima’s band. After playing drums in

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

It is extremely important for every person to have a complete hearing evaluation to establish baseline hearing levels, at the very least. While this is important for everyone, it is most important for musicians who are extremely reliant on this

“The Grinch” was back again for the holidays in 2014. This year, all 15 musicians were covered under the full Broadway contract. The show ran for two weeks at the Chicago Theatre before playing four extremely successful weeks at Madison

RAUL AZPIAZU Raul Azpiazu, 90, a member of Local 802 since 1949, died on Aug. 27. He was a singer, conga player and saxophonist. Mr. Azpiazu was born and raised in Havana. He was the son of famous Cuban musician

The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund works to serve the film, television and music communities. To this end, the fund is pleased to provide ongoing updates to Allegro for the benefit of Local 802 members. If you perform on music

I agree with fellow attorney Harvey Mars’ message that it is important that the law distinguish between art and criminal speech. However, as a professional musician, attorney, former NYC prosecutor and licensed rape crisis/trauma counselor with decades of experience handling

As well as being a great honor, it is especially fitting to introduce my new book, “Music Direction for the Stage: A View from the Podium,” here in Allegro, as my involvement with the musicians’ union was one of my

David Carter Jr. David Johnson Carter Jr., 84, a pianist and a member of Local 802 for 64 years, died on Sept. 27. Mr. Carter began playing the piano at age five. He attended the High School of Performing Arts

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 Meeting called to order at 11:02 a.m. by Financial Vice President Olcott. Present: Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Cranshaw, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Kruvand, Schwartz, Sharman. President Gagliardi absent on union business. Minutes

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” a musical that played earlier this year at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn, New Jersey, recently recorded its cast album under a union contract. The producers had originally planned to outsource the recording session

There are moments in your life that change you forever, but you don’t know it at the time. When you look back, they are like fence poles in the soil connected by horizontal boards, which form the line of your

The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund (FMSMF) works to serve the film, television and music communities and meet the needs of film musicians whose talents fuel the industry. To this end, the FMSMF is pleased to provide ongoing updates to

Note: the Executive Board did not meet on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 Meeting called to order at 11:05 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Schwartz, Sharman, Assistant

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015 Meeting called to order at 11:11 a.m. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cranshaw, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Kruvand, Schwartz, Sharman, Assistant to the President Bond. Minutes

From Madison Square Garden to the Blue Note to Lower East Side bars to bathrooms in private houses (yes, I’ve literally played two gigs in bathrooms!), and from musicals to jazz to rock to R&B to reggae, I enjoy playing

Note: the Executive Board did not meet on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 Meeting called to order at 11:06 a.m. by Financial Vice President Olcott. Present: Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cranshaw,

Cellist, composer and and arranger Alan Shulman had a life steeped in the musical history of New York City. A charter member of Arturo Toscanini’s NBC Symphony, he was also a founder of the Symphony of the Air, Stuyvesant String

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

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

Anger is one of the hardest emotions to get right. Many of us are either too angry or too afraid to express our anger. Is there a “perfect” amount of anger that we should strive for – not too much

NOTE: The E-Board did not meet on Nov. 4 (due to Election Day) or Nov. 11 (due to Veterans’ Day). The Board met on Friday, Nov. 7 instead. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 Meeting called to order at 11:08 a.m. Present:

Musicians take to the streets for labor rights and justice for jazz artists at the May Day parade. Photos by Walter Karling.

Phil Woods spent his last years suffering with emphysema, but he still managed to play the saxophone with his customary brilliance. When it finally got too tough for him, he ended his career with style. He played one last concert,

I drove out to Glen Cove, Long Island, to say goodbye to my old friend Marty Napoleon, who passed away on April 27 (see obituary). His body was there in the casket, but his spirit was on the other side

Brad Terry sent me a story about his friend Eddie Thompson, the blind British pianist. Eddie was doing a tour through the Midwest, traveling from town to town on small commercial planes. At one layover for fuel, most of the

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

I joined Local 802 after a situation where I had been offered a gig and couldn’t do it because I wasn’t in the union. I didn’t want that to happen again. My musical goal is to play the music of

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2015 Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. Present: President Gagliardi, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Cranshaw, Cutler, Dougherty, Kruvand, Schwartz, Sharman. Financial Vice President Olcott and Executive Board member Hyde absent on union

Special note: the previous issue of Allegro ended with the minutes of Aug. 4, 2015. However, instead of starting below with the minutes of Aug. 11, 2015, we are printing the minutes of Oct. 20, 2015 in order to fulfill

When Dave Lambert and I were living in adjoining buildings on Cornelia Street in Greenwich Village in the early 1950s, we collaborated on odd jobs to make a living while trying to get something going in the music world One

The Local 802 Musicians Health Fund recently mailed a notice to all participants. Below is an excerpt of the key points, for easy reference. The notice that was mailed out should be considered the complete, definite document. For more information,

This month will be my last column, as I will be leaving my position here to have a child at the end of the year. I’ll be taking some time off so I can spend time being a mom, then

NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on March 17, 2015. TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015 Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. by Financial Vice President Olcott. Present: Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cranshaw, Hyde, Kruvand, Schwartz, Sharman. President Gagliardi

Many musicians call our office for help because as life gets busy, it can sometimes get more stressful. We offer many free social services, including clinical case management, counseling and financial assistance. This month we will discuss what sorts of

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 Meeting called to order at 11:07 a.m. by Financial Vice President Olcott. Present: Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cranshaw, Cutler, Kruvand, Schwartz, Sharman, Assistant to the President Bond. Minutes from April

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

I sometimes play at a jazz spot in Greenwich Village called The Garage. When I first came to New York in 1945 that space was called The Village Nut Club, and it featured comedy bands. Sometime in the 1950s the

After reading my note about the Nut Club in a recent Band Room column, Phil Woods sent me this note: “I worked the Nut Club after Juilliard in the early 50’s, with Nick Stabulas (leader), George Syran (piano) and Jon