LondonJazz (Free subscription) | 27/11/2009
It's what we've all been waiting for since the 2003 Licensing Act came into force. A clear regime for incidental music and small gigs. So, here goes: Exempt : a pub promoting a stand-up comedian accompanied by a pianist. Licensable: a pub promoting a performance by a pianist/singer supported by a stand-up comedian. Exempt: pub with pianist or other single instrument playing background music. Licensable:...
All Africa (Free subscription) | 27/11/2009
The recent award that the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) bestowed on veteran muso Malombo Mmereki was in recognition of his immense contribution to local music.
Sacramento Bee (Free subscription) | 25/11/2009
Opal Mann Opal Mann, an accomplished jazz musician who played piano in Sacramento nightclubs, accompanied African American church choirs and backed Billie Holiday on stage, died Friday at age 84. She died of cancer, said her daughter, Mellissa Truitt. For many music lovers, Mrs. Mann was a bridge to the golden age of African American jazz clubs downtown. She played piano in bands at the Momo Club...
All Africa (Free subscription) | 19/11/2009
Shock Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) award winners in the Best Album and Best Traditional Music category, Ramotswa group Barwakgodumo have attributed their fame to their own investment strategy - they voted for themselves.
The Playgoer (Free subscription) | 16/11/2009
Ever wonder how Tony n' Tina's Wedding can run so long? A labor dispute centered on long-running Off Broadway tuner "Tony n' Tina's Wedding" is heating up, with musicians union Local 802 claiming that the show's new producers did not come to the negotiating table at a meeting skedded for Monday afternoon. Kim Ricciardi,who produces the Gotham outpost of "Tony" with her husband,...
All Africa (Free subscription) | 05/11/2009
The Mascom-sponsored Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) Awards have come and gone with a few hiccups here and there, but all is not over yet as BOMU is busy preparing for its prize-giving ceremony before the end of the month.
All Africa (Free subscription) | 04/11/2009
Two comedians hired to entertain the audience at the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) Awards, the BOMU awards seem to have raffled feathers with their carefree jokes, which were also beamed live to many households, thanks to Botswana Television (Btv).
All Africa (Free subscription) | 04/11/2009
Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) Awards coordinators say they knew about the goof that resulted in the wrong song being awarded the Song of the Year. Banjo Mosele's hit, Ntsa E Jele Ntsanyana was declared the Song of the Year amid ululation during the BOMU awards ceremony held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) on Saturday night.
All Africa (Free subscription) | 30/10/2009
A Music management promoter, Mr. Ousman Cham, alias Ous T, has called for radical changes in the way the Gambian musicians' union is operated. He explained that the union should be inclusive enough to accommodate other important stakeholders in the music industry, such as promoters, managers and producers.
All Africa (Free subscription) | 27/10/2009
Local Mbaqanga musician Thapelo Maleka, also known as MC Maswe, has threatened to block the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) annual awards scheduled for October 31 with a court order, after the organisers failed to respond to his plea to have his genre of music included in the award categories.
All Africa (Free subscription) | 22/10/2009
Jazz diva Punah Gabasiane has confirmed that a Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) official has been trying to foil the jazz divas' concert billed for October 31.
Les Bonner (Free subscription) | 22/10/2009
“Live music is vastly over-regulated – it’s harder to find somewhere to play the piano in public now than it was in 1899,” said the Liberal Democrat Peer. Speaking at an Equity/Musicians’ Union demonstration in Parliament Square today, Lord (Tim) Clement-Jones described the Government’s new proposals for live music in small venues as a damp squib. In [...]
Betsan Powys' blog (Free subscription) | 22/10/2009
Edwina Hart may have got five CLPs on her side last night but it's up one day, down the next in this leadership battle. The deadline for supporting nominations has just passed and we learn that the Musicians Union has plumped its support for Carwyn Jones. Ok so it's not very big but ... were Mrs Hart's renditions on that viola just not musical enough? News too that the Bakers Union (not affilitated...
Sacramento Bee (Free subscription) | 15/10/2009
Managers of the Sacramento Philharmonic and musicians have agreed to a new contract for the next two seasons that includes a one-year wage freeze and a reduced number of performances for the 2009-10 season. The ratified contract between the Philharmonic, the professional symphonic orchestra for the Sacramento region, and Musicians Union AFM Local 12 also calls for a return to a full season of performances...
The Guardian Music blog (Free subscription) | 15/10/2009
It's no wonder there is a decline in pubs and restaurants hosting live music – the 2003 Licensing Act is incredibly confusing, costly and unnecessarily bureaucratic The Musicians' Union is organising a demonstration next Thursday with the actors' union, Equity, in London's Parliament Square. The event is being held on the same day that parliament is holding a debate on licensing and live entertainment,...
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