Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.
February 20, 2015
IM -Steven Bernstein of Local 802 (New York, NY) first met Henry Butler decades ago and was impressed to say the least. He remembers thinking, “This is it. This is like the music that I always imagined. Everything you ever loved about music, all being in one place, but now it’s all coming from one person.”
Now Bernstein and Butler are working together, and Bernstein started breaking down Butler’s playing. Butler has his own unique style that is more complex the more you break it apart. Bernstein wanted to break it down and spread it throughout a band. Now, they co-lead a band called the Hot 9 and you can hear Butler’s style coming through on all the instruments.