News

Watch Labor Day Picnic Zoom @ 1:30 – Music by Local 14

Happy Labor Day!
 
Tune in (a few minutes early) to connect to the virtual Labor Day Picnic at Cook Park. Mike Blostein’s Jazz Septet will kick off the celebration. So don’t miss it!
 
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cwa1118.zoom.us/j/81494536777
 
Or Telephone:
    Dial:
    USA 216 706 7052
    USA 866 528 2256 (US Toll Free)
    Conference code: 795980
 
Below is an announcement from the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District regarding Labor Day:
 
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An Announcement to Supporters of the Capital District Labor Movement
 
To safeguard public health at this time of a Covid-19 upsurge, the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District’s annual Labor Day Picnic and Celebration — co-sponsored this year by the Capital District Area Labor Federation and the New York State Nurses Association — has been transformed into a virtual event for this coming Labor Day (September 6). 
 
Even though food and drink will not be served, supporters of the labor movement can still participate in this exciting celebration of workers and their unions by signing in, using Zoom, to a live broadcast from Cook Park.  (See the instructions for sign-in below.)
 
The celebration will include:
 
1:30 PM:  Music by the Musicians Local 14 Jazz Septet
 
2:30 PM:  Awards to NYSNA nurses for securing their first contract at Albany Medical Center
 
2:40 PM:  Keynote address by Wayne Spence, President, Public Employees Federation
 
2:55 PM:  Awards to four outstanding capital district community activists
 
3:30 PM:  Conclusion of celebration (approximate time) 
 
Solidarity Forever!
 
The Solidarity Committee of the Capital District
 
******************************
 
Topic: Labor Day Celebration Zoom Link
Time: Sep 6, 2021 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
 
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cwa1118.zoom.us/j/81494536777
 
Or Telephone:
    Dial:
    USA 216 706 7052
    USA 866 528 2256 (US Toll Free)
    Conference code: 795980
    
**************
 
Have a special Labor Day!
 

¡Solidarity!

rev. Ibrahím Pedriñán

President, Albany County Central Federation of Labor
Steward, American Postal Workers Union – Local 390

president@albanylabor.org
518.709.9782  (office mobile)
@albanylabor  (Twitter and Instagram)

Save the Date: Sept 14 Membership Mtg

Dear Fellow Local 14 members:

In order to help out one of our nearby locals, I need to change our All Membership Meeting to Tuesday, September 14. Please put that in your calendar!

I’m still looking for feedback as to whether you’d rather meet in person or online, so please let your voice be heard (with suggestions in hand!). 

In solidarity,

John Van Voris
President of our Albany Musicians’ AssociationAll

April is Jazz Appreciation Month!

Jazz appreciation month logo

 

Jazz Appreciation Month 2021: Women’s Impact and Contributions in Jazz

This past year 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.

This year, Jazz Appreciation Month will both recognize and explore the historical legacy of pianist, singer, songwriter, storyteller, and civil rights activist Nina Simone. We’ll add historic content to our website and online programming, marked visually by an illustration of Nina Simone on this year’s poster by Duke Ellington School of the Arts sophomore visual arts student Naa Anyele Sowah-de Jesus.

2021 Featured Artist: Nina Simone

 Nina Simone - Symphony Hall, Boston, Mass. - 1969
Nina Simone – Symphony Hall, Boston, Mass. – 1969
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert and Greta Houston

 

Woman playing saxophone

Ways to Celebrate JAM

Hold your own JAM event with this handy list of ways to celebrate jazz.

 

White background with black text that says "JAM"Resources

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.

Scholarship Form 2021

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.

 

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.