Text by J4JA
Hey All:
I hope this message finds you safe and well. Between last week’s hurricane and yesterday’s election, it has been a very busy and trying couple of weeks here in New York and around the country. Now, after a brief hiatus, the Justice for Jazz Artists campaign is back in action!
Join us Thursday night, as we are stand up for free speech and send a message to the Blue Note: the club owners need to do the right thing and sign on to the demands of our campaign: Pension, Pay scales, and Protections on recordings for all musicians who play the club.
We will take our message to the streets with a live band to spread the word to jazz fans, musicians, and most importantly, the club owners. Continue reading
Visiting Ballets Perform to Recordings Instead of Live Music, Contrary to the Mission of the Venerated Live Performance Arts Complex
NEW YORK, NY — In blatant disregard of its most sacred mission, the leadership of Lincoln Center is turning its back on live performance by allowing dance groups to perform to prerecorded music in the complex’s Dave H. Koch theater.
On Thursday, October 18, from 6:30-8pm, Members of the New York City Ballet Orchestra and Local 802 will pass out leaflets outside Lincoln Center’s Koch Theater to inform the audience attending the traveling ballet revue “Stars of the 21st Century” that they are paying top dollar to see these international performers dance to a recording, not a live orchestra. Although the world-class New York City Ballet Orchestra could have accompanied the dancers, ticket-buyers, who have paid up to $125 per ticket, will instead be deprived of the joy of listening to live music.
Text by Soahrab Saadat Ladjevardi
Three weeks ago I joined Local 802 because as a music activist I have to join and work with all kinds of people and groups in order to achieve my goals as a musician, individual and family man. In July I already introduced you to the union in the post To all musicians: your instruments are allowed as airplane carry-ons!!! (read here). As a result of the union support I could take my horn as a carry-on last week when I flew to Tokyo. Also from now on when I play on the NY streets or in parks and I have problems with the cops trying to stop me, I can refer to my union or get some assistance from them to stop meaningless and illegal police harassment.
Unfortunately I can’t join today’s march because I’m still in Tokyo.
