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.

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New Releases, Products

Out on the Coast


The David Angel Jazz Ensemble Out on the Coast is a triple CD set released by the David Angel Jazz Ensemble, a Los Angeles-based 13-piece jazz band. The style of the music—which is all composed or arranged by David Angel—is described as “Gil Evans meets J.S. Bach with all 13 musicians playing polyphonic lines.” It […]




J. S. Bach Cello Suite No. 4 on Bass Clarinet


Gordon Clements Multi-woodwind instrumentalist Gordon Clements, of Local 247 (Victoria, BC), has released his eighth recording with J. S. Bach Cello Suite No. 4 on Bass Clarinet. Why a Bach cello suite on bass clarinet? The orchestral bass clarinet (with low C) is the woodwind counterpart of the cello. The range, at four octaves from C below the […]




Self Made Fool


George Marinelli Self Made Fool is the latest solo album by George Marinelli, a longtime session player, writer, and producer, and AFM member for 48 years. In addition to his numerous solo projects, Marinelli, of Local 257 (Nashville, TN), was an original member of Bruce Hornsby (Local 125, Norfolk, VA) & The Range, and has […]




Starting Over


Chris Stapleton Chris Stapleton, of Local 257 (Nashville, TN), has released his fourth solo album with Starting Over, an album featuring 14 tracks that examine life’s simplest joys and most serious struggles. Finished in late February 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, Starting Over offers southern rock, southern soul, and country ballads […]




JW Jones

Sonic Departures


JW-Jones Fresh off the heels of winning Best Guitarist at the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, JW-Jones, of Local 180 (Ottawa, ON) was excited for a huge year before COVID-19 hit and halted his tour schedule. “l knew I had to do something productive to stay positive, so I turned isolation into inspiration,” said […]




Oates Live in Nashville

Live in Nashville


John Oates John Oates, of the best-selling duo in rock history Hall & Oates, has released his second album performing with The Good Road Band: Live in Nashville. Oats, of Local 257 (Nashville, TN), along with fellow 257 musicians Sam Bush (mandolin), Russ Pahl (pedal steel), Nate Smith (cello), and Josh “Daddy” Day (drums/percussion) recorded […]




Gandolfi, Prior & Oliverio: Orchestral Works


Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Featuring works by three composers who have a special relationship with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Gandolfi, Prior & Oliverio: Orchestral Works is a celebration of the orchestra’s 75th anniversary and the two-decade tenure of its fourth music director, Robert Spano. The album captures the collaborative nature of Spano and the Atlanta Symphony […]




Wonders of the Invisible World

Darren Michael Boyd Wonders of the Invisible World is a 1693 book recounting the Salem Witch Trials in which the author, Cotton Mather, espoused the belief that the prosecutions of the “witches” were to gain God’s blessings over the colony. Fast-forward over three centuries, and another collection of wonders is earning a “Guitar God” his […]


Connecticut Halftime

Connecticut Halftime and The Three Camps


Sean J. Kennedy Following up the successful release of a new arrangement of a Revolutionary War-era fife-and-drum tune, “The Downfall of Paris,” drummer, producer, and arranger Sean J. Kennedy, of Local 341 (Norristown, PA), has created new arrangements of two more rudimental drumming standards: “Connecticut Halftime” and “The Three Camps.” “For me and many other […]




The Web Opera image

The Web Opera


Michael Roth The Web Opera, composed by Michael Roth, of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA), is a multi-episode, filmed opera web-series presented exclusively online and for free. It is a unique experiment in music and film based on true events to support suicide prevention and the fight against cyberabuse.  A college freshman installs a webcam […]










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