DECIBAL stories in Allegro
This page lists all stories submitted by the DECIBAL Collective for Allegro:
- “Introducing Local 802’s DECIBAL Collective”
- “A Kickoff Event for Diversity at Local 802”
- “First DECIBAL Book Club a Success”
- AFM racial history #1: Segregated locals in the AFM: an overview
- AFM racial history #2: Forced integration in Philadelphia
- AFM racial history #3: How the Los Angeles musicians’ unions came together
- AFM racial history #4: The long road to a united local in Chicago
- AFM racial history #5: Divided No More
- AFM racial history #6: Seattle (for future investigation — see below*)
- How individualism affects us at Local 802…and beyond
- Black History Month celebrated in style
*For future investigation from HistoryLink.org: “In 1918, Seattle’s African American players formed their own American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Union Local 458 – because Seattle’s first musicians union (AFM Local 76) did not welcome non-white members. In 1924, Local 458 morphed into Local 493, and over the following two decades held its meetings in various locations (including, awkwardly, in Local 76’s office, where 493 members were not allowed to socialize). After holding fundraising concerts, 493 was able to purchase its own modest (circa 1937) building in April 1951. This spot was then used as the Musicians’ Blue Note Club, Inc. – both union headquarters and a private nightclub, soon known simply as the Blue Note. It featured a bar, tables and chairs, and a piano. Members of 493, including young trumpeter Quincy Jones (b. 1933), could stop in and jam with fellow players both young and old. Stars dropped by for after-gig jams, including members of the Count Basie and Duke Ellington orchestras. After long struggles, 493 and 76 finally merged in January 1958, and the hall was sold. By the 1960s, the historic spot had been turned into a nondescript lunch counter, Debbies (later Nellie’s Café).” (SOURCE)