Casual Corner

Grammys in the Schools

The recent partnership between NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences), MPTF (Music Performance Trust Funds) and Local 655 was a fantastic success. Four groups each played six concerts to a total audience of 1700 children. 48 Musicians performed and received a combined income of over $30 thousand. Lanny Smith ably MC�d each concert and kept the students involved and excited.

The Grand Finale concert took place at the Gusman Hall on the campus of the University of Miami, where the Local 655 Studio Jazz Orchestra performed for students from all of the participating schools. This concert employed a wide variety of leaders and styles and showcased the various talents of members such as Melton Mustafa, Jack Siegel, and arranger Larry Warrilow. Representatives from MPTF (John Hall, Trustee) and NARAS (Diane Mataraza, Executive Director) attended, and there was also valuable television coverage for the Local. Even Grammy-winning artist Arturo Sandoval made an appearance. President Peter Graves, Vice President Lisa Fox, Treasurer Jeffrey Apana, and Executive Board members Leslie Bahler, Lou Barone, and Stuart MacDonald participated in the final concert and will be donating their earnings from this engagement to the Alex Abadie Scholarship Fund. Abadie, a University of Miami student, died in a car accident, and initial contributions to this University of Miami Music Scholarship came from a benefit concert featuring Grammy-winner Jon Secada and Ira Sullivan.

Grammy Concert Series for Children was first done in Los Angeles, then New York, and finally in South Florida. Without exception, the people that heard all three series said this was by far the finest. Congratulations to all! The series was such a success that NARAS has decided to include Miami again next season. Next year�s theme will be harmony.

Individual Player Referral Service

We are beginning trial runs of a new service for our members in the Club Date Industry. It will work as follows:

Players may call up to 7 days prior to date they are available.

Players call us at 954/925-1996 between 6pm and 9am, leaving name, account number (next to your name in the Membership Directory), instrument, and dates available on answering machine.

Purchasers may call during working hours to obtain names of all available players.

Please give this program a try and let us know what you think!