Justice for jazz artists
The Jazz E-Newsletter of Local 802 May 13, 2009
 JUSTICE FOR JAZZ ARTISTS!

CAMPAIGN MOVES AHEAD

    After two well attended meetings of the Local 802 Jazz Advisory Committee, the Justice for Jazz Artists! campaign is moving forward on several fronts.
  
    JAZZ CLUB  PROJECT -  NY State has eliminated the tax on admission to Jazz Clubs and the goal is to use these funds for musicians' benefits. It's a no-brainer! It doesn't cost the clubs anything, and opens up the possibility for meaningful benefits for jazz artists.  A coalition of organizations is being put together to support this effort as well as a list of prominent endorsers.  Musicians are circulating a petition urging the clubs to sit down with Local 802 to discuss how best to utilize the former tax revenues. Click here. to read the petition and see a list of those who have signed already. Click here to read more about this initiative.
 
    To add your name just click reply. To find out how you can help in this effort, contact the 802 Jazz Department.
 
    The Jazz Advisory Committee is also actively seeking coalition partners to join us in this fight for justice in the clubs. To view a sample letter reaching out to the community for support, click HERE.
 
    The Local 802 Jazz Consultant is Bob Cranshaw. Local 802's Jazz Business Rep is Todd Weeks.
How Can I Get a Pension?
 
    Are you close to vesting in the AFM-EPF? How much more work would it take in the coming year to achieve permanent status in the pension fund? While savings and 403-B accounts suffer huge losses in this devastated economy, the American Federation of Musicians and Employers' Pension Fund remains a solid investment.  Check in with 802's Jazz Dept. to find out new ways to have contributions made into the pension fund. 
 
    You can visit the fund's website at afmepf.org to find out how to check on your status, or call the Pension Fund directly at: 212 284 1236. You can reach the 802 Jazz Dept: 212 245 4802 X185 or
[email protected]
PROTECT YOUR RECORDINGS
 
    There is a new paradigm in the world of recording and performance. Not so long ago, musicians performed live and toured to sell their recordings. The sale of CDs was often where the real money was made. Now recordings are given away on the internet in the hopes that audiences will pay to see a live performance. Still, that recorded product has value and our goal is to protect it from commercial exploitation. 
 
    Find out what AFM recording agreements are available to fit the work you are doing.  For further information, contact the Local 802 Jazz or Recording Departments:   [email protected]  or  [email protected]
Got Questions?
 
Call or Email the 802 Jazz Department
Ask for Bob Cranshaw or
Jazz Rep Todd Weeks
[email protected] or
212 245 4802 X185
FAIR STANDARDS FOR NYC MUSIC CLUBS!
 
While larger and more financially stable clubs and cabaret spaces offer reasonable compensation to performing musicians, there are a host of smaller venues that do not. The abuse ranges from notorious pay-to-play venues to those that charge for the use of sound equipment or require musicians to guarantee an audience.
 
  
What can be done? What are "fair standards" for the treatment of musicians?  Give us your feedback as we work to establish a "fair standards code" for these music venues.
 
Send an email to [email protected] or call 212 245 4802 X185.
 WANT PENSION IN THE CLUBS? SIGN THE PETITION! 
 
View the petition signed by over 100 jazz musicians who support this effort!
 
Add your name to the list! To view the petition and list of those who've signed it, click HERE.
 
To add your name to the list of supporters, simply respond to this email newsletter, giving Local 802 permission to add your name.
 
Thanks for Your Support on this Vital Issue!!
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