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.
Equipped with a fully-hollow body, Stringed Instrument Resonance System, and Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine, Fender’s Acoustasonic Telecaster is designed to deliver a naturally loud voice and spirited harmonics. Acoustasonic noiseless pickup gives it an authentic, hum-free Fender electric tone. The mahogany Telecaster neck with ebony fingerboard and open-pore satin finish, available in natural, black, sonic gray, surf green and sunburst, make it as attractive as it is comfortable to play.
Etymotic Research’s ER3SE Studio Edition and ER3XR with enhanced and extended bass are value priced editions of the ER4 standard earphones. With an MSRP of $179, Etymotic achieves high accuracy and durability at an affordable price. ER3SE offer studio grade accuracy with a flat response for studio use. ER3XR with low-end enhancement are built for music lovers and hi-fi enthusiasts who want accuracy, but appreciate a bit of extra low end. Both employ high performance, balanced armature drivers and durable, precision machined, anodized metal bodies and feature a detachable four-foot cable.
This third album by percussionist Peter Kogan (Local 30-73, St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN) offers mainstream jazz that is challenging yet accessible, comprising seven of his originals and four classics. Kogan assembled a talented group for this project, including fellow Local 30-73 members Scott Agster, Jeff Bailey, Chris Bates, Dave Graf, Brian Grivna, Chris Olson, Gary Raynor, Sean Turner, Pete Whitman, and Cory Wong. There are musical nods to Mary Lou Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, and more. Kogan provides the masterful rhythmic pulse throughout.
In 1977, Kogan left a position as principal percussion and associate principal timpani with the Pittsburgh Symphony to move to New York City and explore his passion for jazz, blues, and rock. He returned to symphonic work in 1984, retiring from his latest position, as Minnesota Orchestra’s principal timpanist, in 2015. Kogan currently performs with the group heard on this CD, which he calls “The Monsterful Wonderband.”
Casio’s latest Privia PX-S1000 and PX-S3000 portable keyboards introduce a new, sleek, slim, modern design, 42.7% smaller than previous models. The touch panel control surface is easy to use. Enhanced scaled hammer action keyboard and ebony/ivory textured keys provide the feel of an authentic grand piano. A free app allows control via mobile devices and PDF score viewing. Other features include 192-note polyphony, integrated Bluetooth audio, optional battery power, MIDI recorder, and more.
Mackie’s DL series digital wireless mixers—DL16S (16-channel) and DL32S (32-channel)—deliver affordable performance and control in a sturdy stagebox. Both are ready right out of the box with built-in Wi-Fi networking and multi-platform support through the Master Fader control app. Onyx+ mic preamps, fully-loaded DSP on each input and output, plus 4FX processors deliver the mixing power users need.
Mahler’s Second Symphony, Resurrection is the third release in Minnesota Orchestra’s Mahler recording series, which will eventually record all of Mahler’s symphonies. Aside from Music Director Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra, members of Local 30-73 (St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN), the recording features soprano Ruby Hughes, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, and the Minnesota Chorale.
The orchestra’s recording of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony received a 2018 Grammy nomination and its Sixth Symphony recording was released to critical acclaim in March 2018. Since the June 2017 recording of the Second Symphony in Orchestra Hall, the First, Fourth, and Seventh Symphonies have been recorded for future release. The Tenth Symphony will be recorded June 2019.
Priced at under $25, Vibes high fidelity reusable earplugs are designed to provide the sound quality required by professionals. By lowering the volume of all sounds (bass to treble) equally, they avoid distorted sounds heard when using traditional foam earplugs. You’ll hear the music clearly, just at lower decibels through specially designed sound tubes and acoustic filters.
Antelope’s new Edge family of three large-diaphragm condenser microphones delivers the classic sound of some of the most sought-after vintage mics as both native plug-ins and as FPGA FX running on Antelope’s audio interfaces. Edge Solo, connecting via regular mono XLR cable, houses a single capsule with a fixed cardioid pattern. Edge Duo is a dual-membrane capsule with independent outputs that allows individual processing of signals from each membrane. Edge Quatro is a stereo/surround mic with two dual-membrane capsules and a rotating head to deliver four channels of independent processing.
This is Local 8 (Milwaukee, WI) member Haynie’s first release after launching his solo career. Faith Over Fear is inspired by his own struggles to confront his weaknesses and overcome them with “faith, vision, and courage.” Haynie has faced many challenges growing up in poverty. He listened to music as a therapeutic tool to break through adversity. As he came to understand the power of music he was inspired to create his own. He says he is devoted to continuing the legacy of using music to unite, empower, and inspire others to break through their own challenges.
“You’re gonna have bad days,” he says. “Be aware of that and learn how to deal with things by believing in yourself and your ability to rise over obstacles and not worry about what other people think. I use my music as therapy, knowing it will help others rise up out of their troubles and recognize there is hope.”
To learn more about Haynie and hear the single visit haynie.info.
The Electro-Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz classic op-amp fuzz/distortion unit is the result of late ’70s style circuitry that delivers symmetrical hard clipping. The versatile and pedalboard-friendly Flatiron features volume (output level), drive (adjusts sustain/distortion), and filter (low pass with movable cut-off frequency) controls. Dial-in the amount of high-end you prefer, from dark to raunchy. Decorated with the landmark New York building located just down the road from EHX headquarters, Flatiron is housed in a sturdy die-cast chassis. It features true bypass switching and nine-volt battery, and accepts an optional power supply.
