Local 14 has announced the 2023 recipients of the Tommy Ippolito Scholarship Award. Congratulations to Wil Spencer and Bohdan Kinal!
News
April is Jazz Appreciation Month!
Jazz Appreciation Month
In recent years the museum’s jazz program stepped up its efforts in recognizing contributions of women in jazz, from the genre’s earliest development to present successes and challenges. Our work is far from being done and will continue to be an integral part of our ongoing effort as we delve into the rich historical legacy of America’s indigenous art form.
In 2021, Jazz Appreciation Month recognized and explored the historical legacy of pianist, singer, songwriter, storyteller, and civil rights activist Nina Simone. Historic content was added to our website and marked visually by an illustration of Nina Simone on this poster by Duke Ellington School of the Arts sophomore visual arts student Naa Anyele Sowah-de Jesus.
2021 Featured Artist: Nina Simone

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert and Greta Houston
Hold your own JAM event with this handy list of ways to celebrate jazz.
Everything else you might need for your own JAM events – including the JAM logo, and radio announcements.
Visit Smithsonian Jazz Website
Tommy Ippolito Music Scholarship 2021
To our Music Community:
The Albany Musicians’ Association, Inc. announces the availability of the prestigious Tommy Ippolito Music Scholarship which is awarded to one or two talented instrumentalists and/or vocalists who are pursuing a college education in music (major or minor). THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 31, 2021. An application form is enclosed within. We seek your assistance and that of your music directors in identifying exceptional students who are planning a career in music.
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS APPLICATION FORM TO THE BAND, ORCHESTRA, AND CHOIR DIRECTORS IN YOUR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
This Scholarship is named in recognition of Thomas (Tommy) Ippolito, as a tribute to his exceptionally gifted and accomplished musicianship, leadership, and service to Local 14 to promote live music in the Capital Region.
The Tommy Ippolito Scholarship is a merit-based, one-time cash award of $500 (minimum) or $1,000 (maximum) given directly to the recipient(s). Applicants must be high school seniors who have been accepted into an accredited college/university, and who demonstrate (1) satisfactory academic work; (2) outstanding achievement in the areas of musicianship, leadership, and overall dedication to music; and (3) the potential for success in the field of music exhibited by performance achievements on their primary instrument, including voice.
If there are any questions, please contact me at (518) 669-2163. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John Van Voris,
President, Albany Musicians’ Association
Local 14 – American Federation of Musicians
2nd VP, Eastern Conference of Locals
Congratulations to Albany Symphony on Grammy for Best Classical Instrumental Solo
63rd GRAMMY Awards
THE GRAMMY GOES TO…
David Alan Miller and the Albany Symphony for Best Classical Instrumental Solo .
The win was for violist Richard O’Neill’s solo in Christopher Theofanidis’ “Concerto for Viola and Chamber Orchestra”recording made under the baton of Miller and backed by the Albany Symphony. The recording on the Albany Records label features violin soloist Chee-Yun and viola soloist O’Neill.
Congratulations to David Allen Miller, Richard O’Neill and our Local 14 members of Albany Symphony Orchestra!
This is the sixth nomination for Miller, the fifth for the ASO. In 2019, the recorded performance of composer Michael Torke’s “Sky” received a best classical instrumental solo nomination for violinist Tessa Lark, and a recording of Derek Bermel’s “Migration Series” was nominated for best contemporary classical composition.
Musical Instrument Donation Program
If you have an instrument that you are not using, consider donating it to a student who may not otherwise have an opportunity to own, rent or play one. Here’s how we do it:
Membership Mtg Oct 21, 7 PM
Our next membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00. The meeting will held online through gotomeeting.com or, on the telephone if you don’t have a camera or microphone on your computer.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/561602045
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 561-602-045
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/561602045
Transition: Neil C. Brown, Jr. President Emeritus
Dear fellow Local 14 members,
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Local 14 President Emeritus Neil Brown passed away on Friday, August 7.
Neil was a longtime pianist-member, Secretary/Treasurer, President of Local 14, and when I became President, he graciously volunteered to come back from retirement as Secretary/Treasurer.
On a personal level, I became friends with Neil through playing gigs, but he became a mentor to me when I became vice-president and then president. Besides showing me the ropes in dealing with the AFM, he taught me the importance of leading through consensus, and bringing people with varied backgrounds and opinions to be on the same page.
He will be missed by many. Neil’s obituary can be seen here:
https://www.newcomeralbany.com/Obituary/187781/Neil-Brown-Jr/Albany-NY
In solidarity,
John Van Voris
President of our Albany Musicians’ Association
Tommy Ippolito Scholarship Awards 2020
Congratulations to the 2020 Tommy Ippolito Scholarship Awardees!
Sam Hatfield from Burnt Hills/ Ballston Lake High School, a drummer who will be studying Commercial Music/Jazz Studies/Jazz Performance at Belmont University.
Catherine Jantson from Bethlehem High School, a vocalist who will be studying Music Education at Ithaca College.
William Han from Shenendehowa High School, a cellist who will be studying Cello Performance at SMU.
NYT Article: She Just Wanted to Play Bass.
Transition: Scott Bassinson
Dear fellow Local 14 members:
It is with great sadness that I write to you to advise of the passing of longtime Local 14 jazz pianist, Scott Bassinson. Scott was a very talented musician, and a great man. He will be missed. (Obituary).
In solidarity,
John Van Voris
President of our Albany Musicians’ Association