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

The Downfall of Paris

Sean J. Kennedy On Independence Day 2020, a group of world-class percussion and brass musicians released a new arrangement of a Revolutionary War-era fife and drum tune, “The Downfall of Paris,” as a YouTube video. The idea sprang from the solitude of quarantine, during which Sean J. Kennedy, of Local 341 (Norristown, PA), the Philadelphia-based […]


New Love Songs: Bossa Nova & Beyond

Danny Strimer Local 257 (Nashville, TN) composer-guitarist-vocalist Danny Strimer’s New Love Songs is a 10-song travelogue of the heart. Strimer co-wrote the album and co-produced the recording sessions in Nashville. Also performing on the album is Local 257 bassist Brian Zonn. “After doing a good amount of writing and performing pop and country songs, I […]


Tango Del Cielo

Anna Maria Mendieta Harpist Anna Maria Mendieta’s newest album, Tango Del Cielo, is a collection of Argentine tango and Spanish classical music. The album includes arrangements for harp and orchestra featuring works by Astor Piazzolla, Pablo Ziegler, and more. These orchestrations have been created by award-winning composers, including Jorge Calandrelli; pianist for Piazzolla, Pablo Ziegler; […]


Message to Home

Mark Reed If you’ve ever been touched by the Muse you won’t be surprised to learn that the seed for Mark Reed’s lifetime work, Message to Home, was planted in a dream sequence: “It only lasted about 15 seconds, but it inspired me to consider how an objective observation of life on Earth might look,” […]


The LA Sessions at Capitol Studios

The Steve Spiegl Big Band The latest album by The Steve Spiegl Big Band celebrates the band’s 50th year in existence as a staple of the LA rehearsal band scene. It was recorded by the some of the top LA studio musicians and jazz soloists. Recorded over three days at Capitol Studios, The LA Sessions […]


Not Our First Goat Rodeo

Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile  Not Our First Goat Rodeo is the long-awaited follow-up album to the Grammy Award-winning The Goat Rodeo Sessions by four diverse musicians who combine talent and friendship into a genre-defying work. The group is: Yo-Yo Ma (cello), of Local 802 (New York City), a classical cellist […]


When the World Stops Ending

Dave Carroll  Dave Carroll, the creator behind “United Breaks Guitars,” the groundbreaking YouTube music video considered by many to be the greatest customer service complaint in history, has released a new song and video that is current and relevant for the times. Written and produced during the current COVID-19 pandemic, this song is meant to reflect our […]


Jim Brickman, 25th Anniversary Greatest Hits

Pianist and songwriter Jim Brickman has released his latest album—a compilation of him singing 15 of his biggest hits from the past 25 years.


Daniel Szabo, Visionary: New Music for Jazz Trio & Chamber Ensemble

“Visionary” by David Szabo of Local 47 was written for a unique instrumentation combining woodwind sextet with string quartet and jazz rhythm section.


Sarah Jarosz, World On The Ground

Three-time Grammy winner Sarah Jarosz, of Local 257, has announced the June 5 release of her first new album in four years, World on the Ground.








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