Officers
President, Francine Schutzman;
Vice President, Gary Morton;
Secretary-Treasurer, Robin Moir
Executive Board
Lance Elbeck
Mike Mullin
David Renaud
Sean Rice
Delegates to AFM Convention
Francine Schutzman
Robin Moir
President Emeritus
Glenn Robb
Office Staff
Administrative Officers:
Dan Blackwell
Marlene Morton
MPTF Coordinator: Glenn Robb
Website: Dave Poulin
DISCLAIMER
Your officers and editorial staff conscientiously screen all advertising submitted to the eNewsHarp. However, we cannot assume responsibility for product quality or advertising content, nor can your officers be held accountable for misrepresentations between side persons and leader/contractors.
Local 180 publishes the eNewsHarp on-line four times a year. In an election year, we also publish an election issue for members.
President’s Message
Francine Schutzman
What happens in Vegas . . . .
Shortly after you read this, Robin and I will be off to Las Vegas for the 102nd AFM Convention. No, we’re not going for fun and games. It’s hard work with long hours, and I’m looking forward to it — no, not the city, but the event itself.
The AFM Convention is supposed to take place every three years. It was postponed from last year because we were still in the throes of the pandemic. Although things were easing up a bit, none of the Canadians wanted to cross the border, and certainly nobody wanted to sit in a crowded room for days on end. There is a recommendation from the International Board that we allow remote conventions in the future if necessary. This will be voted upon by the delegates to the convention.
A number of people have asked why we go to Las Vegas. It has traditionally been known as a union city. And, although prices have gone up there as they have everywhere else, I think that it remains one of the more economical places in which to hold a convention.
The way the Convention works is that we hear various reports and speeches, there is a touching memorial service for delegates who have died since the last Convention, and we get down to some pressing business: review of the AFM Bylaws and policies, with the delegates voting on whether or not to make changes to them.
The May issue of the International Musician shows you which Recommendations (from the IEB) and Resolutions (from the Locals and player conferences) we will be discussing. Those discussions take place mainly in committee sessions, with those most interested in each Recommendation or Resolution making presentations for or against to the committee members. The committee chair then presents the committee’s conclusions to the body as a whole, and the larger assembly votes on whether or not to accept the advice of the committee. There is an opportunity for further discussion on the floor before this vote takes place. There are a dozen or so committees, each of which is assigned Recommendations and Resolutions most pertinent to the committee’s field of (one hopes!) expertise.
Robin and I have been honoured with our committee assignments. Robin will be chairing the Publicity Committee, while I will be taking part once again in the Law Committee, which is tasked with changes to the AFM Bylaws. I love this work, trying to find exactly the right words to convey the intent of a new bylaw.
The Law and Finance Committees are the hardest-working ones. We get to Las Vegas a couple of days early to begin our deliberations. Then we break into our regional conferences, which generally take place over the weekend, with the main Convention starting with a social event on Sunday night. It has been my experience that we sometimes have to run from a meeting of the Canadian Conference back to the Law Committee. Once the Convention meetings begin (they go from Monday through Thursday), we often have late-night or early-morning committee meetings to hammer out various details or to hear new testimony. It can be both exhausting and exhilarating.
The most important event at the Convention is the election of officers — those people who will be guiding the union for at least the next three years. Three of those at the top have decided not to run for re-election. We are most grateful to President Ray Hair, Vice-President Bruce Fife and Secretary-Treasurer Jay Blumenthal for their leadership during some very challenging times. We feel that the AFM is in better shape than before these gentlemen took office. We are very glad to see that Alan Willaert, the Vice-President from Canada, is standing for re-election, as we go to him frequently for help and advice. Eleven candidates for the five remaining positions on the International Executive Board have announced their intention to seek office. You can read about them in the May International Musician. There can be further nominations at the Convention itself for every position on the IEB, so we may be in for some exciting times.
If you happen to be near Las Vegas, I urge you to sit in on the Canadian Conference (June 23-25) and the AFM Convention (June 26-29j. If you just want to know what we will be discussing, please take a look at the Recommendations and Resolutions in the May International Musician. And wish us all luck!
Francine
Rapport de la président
Ce qui se passe à Vegas . . . .
Peu après la lecture du présent article, Robin et moi serons en route vers Las Vegas pour participer à la 102e Convention de l’AFM. Non, ce ne sera pas une partie de plaisir, mais plutôt de longues heures de travail ardu, et je m’en réjouis déjà – non, pas de la ville, mais bien de l’activité comme telle.
La Convention de l’AFM a lieu tous les trois ans. Elle a cependant été reportée l’an passé alors que nous étions encore dans les affres de la pandémie. Bien que nous vivions un certain soulagement, aucun Canadien ne voulait traverser les frontières, et surtout pas se retrouver dans une salle bondée pendant plusieurs jours. Le International Executive Board (IEB) recommande d’ailleurs qu’il soit permis de tenir des conventions à distance à l’avenir, le cas échéant. Cette recommandation fera l’objet d’un vote des délégués à la Convention.
Certaines personnes nous ont demandé pourquoi nous allons à Las Vegas. Depuis longtemps, cette ville est connue comme une ville syndicale. De plus, bien que les prix aient augmenté comme partout ailleurs, je crois que c’est encore l’un des endroits les plus économiques pour tenir une Convention.
L’horaire de la Convention comprend plusieurs rapports et discours, un service commémoratif touchant pour les délégués qui nous ont quitté depuis la dernière Convention ainsi qu’un examen des affaires urgentes, notamment les modifications aux Règlements administratifs et aux politiques de l’AFM sur lesquelles les délégués devront voter.
Le numéro de mai du International Musician présente les recommandations (du IEB) et les résolutions (des sections locales et des conférences d’artistes exécutants) qui feront l’objet de discussions. Ces échanges ont surtout lieu lors de séances de comités, où des personnes présentent aux membres du comité leurs arguments pour ou contre une recommandation ou résolution qui les intéresse particulièrement. Le président du comité présente ensuite les conclusions du comité à l’ensemble des délégués qui en retour vote d’accepter ou non les conseils du comité. Il y a aussi une possibilité d’approfondir le débat avant le vote. On compte environ une douzaine de comités, où l’on attribue à chacun d’eux les recommandations et résolutions les plus pertinentes par rapport à leur domaine de compétence (on l’espère).
Robin et moi avons été attribuées nos comités respectifs. Robin présidera le comité de publicité tandis que je participerai encore une fois au comité judiciaire, lequel doit examiner les modifications aux Règlements administratifs de l’AFM. J’adore ce travail qui consiste à trouver le libellé le plus juste pour transmettre l’intention du nouveau règlement.
Le comité judiciaire et le comité des finances sont les plus exigeants. Nous arrivons à Las Vegas quelques jours plus tôt afin d’amorcer les délibérations. Les conférences régionales suivent, généralement la fin de semaine, et l’activité sociale du dimanche soir lance la Convention principale. Selon mon expérience, nous devons parfois quitter rapidement la Conférence canadienne pour revenir au comité judiciaire. Une fois que les réunions de la Convention sont entamées (allant du lundi au jeudi), nous assistons souvent à des réunions en fin de soirée ou tôt le matin afin d’élaborer divers détails ou entendre un nouveau témoignage. Le processus est à la fois épuisant et palpitant.
L’élément le plus important de la Convention s’avère l’élection des dirigeants – ces personnes qui orienteront le syndicat pendant au moins les trois prochaines années. Trois de ces personnes au sommet de l’échelle ont décidé de ne pas solliciter le renouvellement de leur mandat. Nous sommes très reconnaissants envers le président, Ray Hair, le vice-président, Bruce Fife et le secrétaire-trésorier, Jay Blumenthal d’avoir fait preuve de leadership en cette période très difficile. À notre avis, l’AFM est en meilleure position depuis l’arrivée au pouvoir de ces messieurs. Nous sommes heureux de savoir qu’Alan Willaert, vice-président pour le Canada, sollicite un nouveau mandat, car il nous vient souvent en aide et nous fournit de bons conseils. Parmi les cinq postes à combler, onze personnes ont annoncé leur intention de poser leur candidature. Ces candidats seront présentés dans l’édition de mai du International Musician. Comme il est possible que d’autres mises en candidatures pour chaque poste au IEB soient présentées à la conférence même, nous assisterons peut-être à des moments palpitants.
Si vous êtes à proximité de Las Vegas, je vous invite à assister à la Conférence canadienne (du 23 au 25 juin) et à la Convention de l’AFM (du 26 au 29 juin). Si vous désirez simplement connaître les sujets à discuter, veuillez jeter un œil sur les recommandations et les résolutions présentées dans l’édition de mai du International Musician, et souhaitez nous tous bonne chance!
Francine
Secretary Treasurer’s Message
Robin Moir
The MPTF
Since 2010 President Emeritus Glenn Robb has been directing the activities of the MPTF (Music Performance Trust Fund) for Local 180.
As many of you know, MPTF engagements are free to the public, and they offer Locals throughout North America the ability to provide performance opportunities to the professional musicians who make up our membership. The MPTF and Locals are committed to supporting music education and promoting the cultural value of music in the community. Using the MPTF platform, Local 180 has established partnerships with a multitude of musicians, local schools, universities, community organizations, and cultural institutions to help promote music education and appreciation.
For many years the MPTF engagements were primarily live concerts and events partnered with various co-sponsors throughout the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau (at one time the city of Hull), with co-sponsors sought out and contracted by Glenn: Sparks Street BIA; Rideau Street BIA, the City of Ottawa, Minto, Sunlife, the Jazz Festival and the National Arts Centre, to name but a few.
When COVID decimated the live music scene worldwide, MPTF was forced to curtail all live work and refocus their funding and performance energies by providing professional musicians with the opportunity to live-stream to a North American audience. They coordinated with the Locals to provide a performance platform on their Facebook page and coordinate the stream with the various Locals’ Facebook pages.
As we all know, over the past ten years or so, the number of musicians performing live on Facebook has multiplied exponentially, and so these musicians were primed and ready to perform. The MPTF Live Streams offered them a scale wage for live performance, and the co-sponsors contributed pension on their behalf to the Musicians’ Pension Fund of Canada.
We were lucky here in Ottawa-Gatineau; the Local has two members who record and shoot video. Dave Poulin has his own studioNINE, and Mike Mullin records and shoots video in various live music settings.
Our first livestream was streamed on September 3rd from Alcorn Studio with Mike Mullin, featuring Garry Elliott, and a few weeks later, on September 20th, Dave streamed the first of his series with Quatuor Despax.
It is hard to believe that that was three years ago, and the Local has been working steadily since then.
Along with Dan Blackwell in the office, Glenn has booked and applied for all the MPTF work to date. There is an incredible amount of paperwork involved because budgets and contracts must be prepared and eventually sent to pension and of course musicians paid.
Overall, the 2022/2023 MPTF season was a successful one for the Local. We were dealt a blow mid-season when Glenn suffered a stroke and needed to rehabilitate. We are thankful that he is making substantial progress and will eventually be back at work.
The following list indicates the steps members must follow to book an engagement:
1. Musicians interested in an MPTF engagement must complete the Local Proposal Worksheet found on our website ma180.org
2. Engagements cannot be proposed by email or phone.
3. The Local must have a competed Proposal Worksheet to apply for an engagement through the MPTF.
4. All fields on the Proposal Worksheet are required.
5. The Local cannot guarantee an engagement until approved by MPTF in New York.
Please note that according to our Price List, Clause 1C, an MPTF call is 3 hours; however, usually the engagements are only 1 hour in length. The only time a step-up is granted is if a leader requests extra time under special circumstances. These engagements are open to all of our members, but please remember that you must fill out and complete our online application.
I like to think that along with the MPTF the Local plays a significant role in supporting and promoting the professional music community in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. Please take time to read and reflect on the amount of work that we have facilitated over the past year, and the number of musicians who have benefited and continued to earn a living. It is also important to reflect on the numbers of people whose lives have been enhanced because our musicians performed for their community and enriched their lives.
April Jazz wound up the 2022/2023 year for the MPTF with 123 services to Local musicians.
Thank you, MPTF!
Robin
Rapport de la secrétaire trésorière
La MPTF
Depuis 2010, le président émérite, Glenn Robb, dirige les activités de la MPTF (Music Performance Trust Fund) pour le compte de la Section locale 180.
Comme plusieurs le savent, les prestations de la MPTF sont gratuites pour le public et permettent aux sections locales partout en Amérique du Nord d’offrir des occasions de spectacles aux musiciens professionnels membres de leur Section. La MPTF et les sections locales s’engagent à appuyer l’enseignement musical et à promouvoir la valeur culturelle de la musique dans la communauté. La Section locale 180 utilise la plateforme de la MPTF pour établir des partenariats avec une multitude de musiciens, d’écoles locales, d’universités, d’organismes communautaires et d’institutions culturelles de façon à favoriser l’enseignement et l’appréciation de la musique.
Depuis bon nombre d’années, les prestations de la MPTF consistaient principalement de concerts et d’événements en direct présentés en partenariat avec divers coparrains dans les villes d’Ottawa et de Gatineau (autrefois la ville de Hull). Glenn a repéré et établi des contrats avec ces coparrains : la zone d’amélioration commerciale (ZAC) de la rue Sparks, la ZAC de la rue Rideau, la Ville d’Ottawa, les sociétés Minto et Sunlife, le festival de jazz et le Centre national des Arts, pour n’en citer que quelques-uns.
Lorsque la COVID a anéanti la scène de la musique en direct, la MPTF a dû restreindre tout travail en direct et rediriger ses énergies de financement et de prestations en offrant aux musiciens professionnels la possibilité de diffuser en continu auprès d’un auditoire nord-américain. Elle a collaboré avec les sections locales pour fournir une plateforme de prestation sur sa page Facebook et coordonner la diffusion avec les pages Facebook de diverses sections.
Nous sommes tous conscients qu’au cours des dix dernières années, le nombre de musiciens s’exécutant en direct sur Facebook s’est multiplié exponentiellement. En conséquence, tous ces musiciens étaient prêts et anxieux de s’exécuter. Les diffusions en continu de la MPTF leur offraient une échelle salariale appropriée aux prestations et aux enregistrements en direct, et les coparrains contribuaient en leur nom au régime de retraite de la Caisse de retraite des musiciens du Canada.
Nous avons eu de la chance ici à Ottawa-Gatineau; deux des membres de la Section locale enregistrent et réalisent des vidéos. Dave Poulin a son propre StudioNine et Mike Mullin enregistre et réalise des vidéos dans diverses scènes musicales.
Notre première diffusion en continu a été enregistrée et diffusée le 3 septembre à partir du Alcorn Studio, avec Mike Mullin, mettant en vedette Garry Elliott. Quelques semaines plus tard, Dave a diffusé la première de ses séries avec le Quatuor Despax.
Il est difficile de croire que c’était il y a trois ans déjà et que la Section locale travaille constamment depuis lors.
En compagnie de Dan Blackwell au bureau, Glenn a réservé et a sollicité tout le travail de la MPTF à ce jour. Cela exige un montant infini de paperasse puisque des budgets et des contrats doivent être élaborés, puis tôt ou tard envoyés au régime de retraite, et bien entendu, les musiciens doivent être rémunérés.
Dans l’ensemble, la saison 2022-2023 de la MPTF a été réussie pour la Section locale. Nous avons toutefois subi un choc à la mi-saison alors que Glenn a subi un accident vasculaire cérébral et a dû se réhabiliter. Nous nous réjouissons des progrès importants qu’il fait et de son retour éventuel au travail.
La liste ci-après précise les étapes que les membres doivent suivre pour réserver une prestation :
1. Les musiciens intéressés à une prestation de la MPTF doivent remplir le formulaire de proposition affiché sur notre site Web à *HarpMPTF-PROPOSAL-SHEET-final-2022-10-27-22.pdf (ma180.org)
2. Les prestations ne peuvent être proposées par courriel ou par téléphone.
3. La Section locale doit avoir un formulaire de proposition dûment rempli pour demander une prestation de la MPTF.
4. Tous les champs du formulaire de proposition doivent être remplis.
5. La Section locale ne peut garantir une prestation avant de recevoir l’approbation de la MPTF à New York.
Veuillez noter que selon l’article 1C de notre liste de prix, un travail de la MPTF est de trois heures. Cependant, la plupart des prestations sont d’une durée de seulement une heure. Une augmentation est seulement accordée si un chef de groupe demande du temps supplémentaire en vertu de circonstances exceptionnelles. Ces prestations sont ouvertes à tous nos membres, mais rappelez-vous que vous devez dûment remplir notre formulaire de demande en ligne.
J’ose croire que parallèlement à la MPTF, la Section locale joue un rôle important pour soutenir et favoriser la communauté musicale professionnelle dans la région d’Ottawa-Gatineau. Nous vous prions de prendre le temps de lire et de réfléchir à la quantité de travail que nous avons accomplie au cours de la dernière année, ainsi qu’au nombre de musiciens qui en ont bénéficié et qui ont continué à gagner leur vie. Il importe aussi de réfléchir au nombre de personnes pour qui la vie a été meilleure parce que nos musiciens se sont exécutés au profit de leur communauté et ont ainsi enrichi leurs vies.
Le jazz d’avril a bouclé l’année 2022-2023 pour la MPTF, laquelle a fourni 123 services aux musiciens de la Section locale.
Merci à la MPTF!
Robin
Music Performance Trust Fund
AT WORK!
The MPTF at WORK!
Brian Asselin and David Gaw
Music Performance Trust Fund
Peter Turner and Kyle Jordan
David Gaw and Brian Asselin
Israel Martínez, Rachelle Behrens and Rick Ragno
Peter Turner, Tom Denison, James Arif and Don Paterson
Richard Page, Peter Turner, James Arif and Kyle Jordan
We encourage all of our members to join PAL (palottawa.org)
Please see their website and the March eNewsHarp for details about the organization and the planned residence for members of the arts community. It is not too soon to sign up for affordable housing for retirees, even if you are not sure that you’ll need it. And if you are not close to retirement, your membership will help the organization to focus on the needs of our community.
LIVE MUSIC WORKERS FUND
After receiving an unprecedented number of applications of the Live Music Workers Fund, we reopened the application.
Since the official application launch we have received thousands of submissions, making it very clear that our industry is in great need of this help. We are so proud and appreciative of the work you and your organizations have all done and continue to do to ensure that everyone in the Canadian Live Music Industry has access to this funding. What we have seen reading these applications and talking to our applicants is that things are not back to normal, and the pandemic continues to negatively impact the livelihoods of people in our community.
Attached (below) is the step-by-step guide to the application in English and French, which includes the link to the application.
Détails de l’application étape par étape
Attend in person, or ZOOM to the LOCAL 180 GENERAL MEETING
Monday, June 5th @ 12:30 p.m. from your place
PLEASE SIGN IN AT BEFOREHAND SO WE’RE READY TO BEGIN ON TIME
If you know ahead of time that you’re attending in-person, please notify dan@ma180.org so we know how much pizza to order.
If you know ahead of time that you’re attending on-line, please notify dan@ma180.org so he can send out the past meeting’s minutes for your review.
Relief Fund Alive and Well
The Relief Fund was established by Local 180 to help those musicians most greatly affected by the pandemic. Thanks to the generous donations made by our own members, with a special shout-out to the musicians of the NAC Orchestra, we plan to maintain the Relief Fund and to add to it. The pandemic may possibly be easing up, but its effects will linger for a long time, and one never knows what is around the corner. So here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
If you need assistance, or if you are aware of a fellow member who needs it, send a message to Robin. We do not ask those who need funds to justify the need or tell us what they will be used for. We assume that if you ask for help, you genuinely need it.
If you are in a position to do so, please contribute to the fund. You might need to tap into it some day yourself.
Our general meetings are now ‘hybrid’. They are held simultaneously in-person and on-line.
JUNE GENERAL MEETING in person and on-line via ZOOM
JUNE GENERAL MEETING in person and on-line via ZOOM
Monday, JUNE 5th, 12:30 PM
PLEASE SIGN IN BEFOREHAND SO WE’LL BE READY TO BEGIN ON TIME
Please let Dan know (dan@ma180.org) if you will be attending in person so that we know how much pizza to order.
If you will be attending virtually, please notify dan@ma180.org so he can send out the past meeting’s minutes for your review.
How
1. Download the Zoom app if you don’t already have it.
2. Send Robin or Dan an email to confirm your attendance.
3. Wait breathlessly to receive an email with the meeting ID number and password.
4. When the meeting time arrives, simply click on the link in the email.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
OBITUARIES
Peter Turner and Kyle Jordan
Kay Denison
Kathleen (“Kay”) May Denison was born on June 14, 1925, daughter of Frederick Heney Goold and Dorthy Alexander Goold. Kay passed away quietly at home on March 23, 2023.
She was born into a music loving family (with her brothers Cecil, Billy, John, Gary, and Eddy) and started playing the piano as a toddler. In her teenage years she mastered the classics through the Royal Conservatory of Music but blossomed into a pianist in the popular genres of stride piano and swing bands, playing everywhere from the Standish Hall, Chateau Laurier Grill, to churches and synagogues, to the Banff Springs Hotel She was in demand as an accompanist because not only was she a prodigious chart reader but she could “play by ear” and any key on the fly.
It was the age of live music and Kay was busy entertaining on as many nights of the week as she wanted to be. Besides the piano, she became an organist. She made the horses in the RCMP Musical Ride appear to keep time. Kay played “Three Blind Mice ” on the organ to introduce the umpires at the Ottawa Athletics Baseball games at Lansdowne Park. She played at the old Ottawa Auditorium for the Ottawa Senators (in the Quebec Senior League predecessor of the NHL), Kay played for every team of the NHL’s Original Six era and many of the new expansion teams and performed the national anthem for every foreign national team that came to challenge our Team Canada. She was a regular at Rideau Hall entertaining every governor general from Roland Michener to Adrienne Clarkson.
Her talent circled the globe when her rendition of O Canada was sent to Canadian embassies around the world on a 45 rpm vinyl as the ‘official version’. Kay was quiet & modest and preferred to express her talent through her fingertips. She was too shy to speak into the mic when asked to read the plate number of a car that had left its lights on. From the horse shows at the Ottawa Winter Fair, to wrestling matches in the old Coliseum, at the same time that Kay’s talent was permeating the Ottawa music scene, she was a very supportive mother to her three sons and a loving wife to Bill.
Kay continued her musical career through the Sixties, Seventies, Eighties, …and right up to the present. Kay regularly entertained at Seniors’ residences and nursing homes. In 2013 Kay was awarded the Glenn Robb Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ottawa Local 180 of the American Federation of Musicians of which she was a lifetime member. She was an original member of Grey Jazz and Silver Swing Bands for a quarter of a century.
During the isolation of COVID she did a weekly recital on Facebook which had a huge following. Even during her last days while confined to a hospital bed, set up at home, Kay played on a keyboard across her bed.
She is survived by her brothers Cecil, Billy, John, and Gary, Aunt Jean, who was like a sister to her, her three sons Terry (Michelle), Ken, and Tom (Bev), her grandchildren Stephanie (Wade), Patrick (Joelle), Emily (Anthony), and Lucas (Maritza), and great-grandchildren Allie, Olivia, Caroline, and Hannah and many nieces and nephews in Canada and the USA. The family is eternally grateful for the care of the medical and palliative care team that provided Kay with dignity and comfort in her final weeks, especially Rose, Heather, and Marivic.
Jay Harrison
The Musicians’ Association is saddened to announce the passing of Jay Harrison (1957 – 2023). Jay joined the AFM in 1976 and was an active musician and board member in Locals 180 (Ottawa) and 190 (Manitoba ). He was a bandleader, clinician, Ottawa Local Vice-President, Winnipeg Local Secretary-Treasurer, and Delegate to the Canadian Conference and the AFM Convention.
Jay was a student at South Carleton High School in Manotick. He worked with “Ed O’Connor and the Top Hats” a lot while in high school and also ended up as a teaching assistant to Shorty McCulloch in the band program at his school. He played in Solid Brass in 75-76 and then with Vernon Isaacs in the late 70’s. He performed in the Stevens & Kennedy band. He was a member of the Central Band from the late ‘70’s until he was posted to Winnipeg in the early ‘90’s. Along with his service to the Ottawa Local, he played in the group “Duo Bones” with Art Katona, Glenn Robb, Sol Gunner and Art Lawless.
Jay was very busy in Winnipeg with a number of his own groups and then became very active in the Winnipeg Local after his release from the military. He retired to Gabriola Island in 2019 where he continued working for his brother at the “Wedge Mouthpiece” company.
Jay was an honourable man who was very generous with his time and talent. Always willing to help out or to take charge, he earned the great respect of everyone with whom he worked.
Jay’s brother Dave wrote: “Jay was diagnosed with multiple myeloma about 4 years ago. He fought courageously through many rounds of chemo and a stem cell transplant, but today that long journey ended.
“Along the way Jay taught me a lot about courage and determination. He died today calmly and peacefully with his loving family at his side. He was my best friend, and I will miss him greatly.”
Jay’s many friends and colleagues will miss him, too. Robin Moir shared this lovely memory:
“Jay and I had a special bond, over and above the love of live music and performance. He was much younger, the age of my youthful brother, and although we met often in our performing years, on stage, we didn’t spend time together.
“Much later in life, we re-met at the 2013 AFM Convention. He was VP of Local 190 in Winnipeg, and I had just taken over duties as Secretary-Treasurer at Local 180. Other than Francine, I did not know a single person in that gigantic convention room, and then in walked Jay! We were both in the same position – each of us just knowing the other.
“At the Convention Jay and I had time to get to know one another. What we discovered was that we both came from small towns in Southern Ontario, just down the road from each other, and that both of our families had spent time in the summers on the shores of Lake Erie. It was magical – as that shared family memory was so strong, years and years later…the shores of Lake Erie are indeed enchanted.
“The summer before the 2016 Convention I was at Long Point on Lake Erie, and I found a stone on the beach for him. I gave it to him at the Convention for his desk, to remember the wonderful years.
“At our final Convention, in 2019, Jay brought me a stone from a beach on Lake Erie that he was visiting with his sister and her family. I have that stone on my desk and it will always remind me of Jay.”
From Jay’s friend Phil Panke, we received the following tribute::
“Here are a couple of early memories that can attest to Jay’s character.
“1. Our family moved to the Manotick area when I was 13. We moved from the small town of Brighton, Ontario, where I left all of my friends. At our new home we lived in a rural subdivision, with no one anywhere near my age. It was a boring and lonely time, to say the least. When the first day of school came around, I got off the bus, and just stood there, knowing no one. A tall guy walked straight over, thrust out his hand, and said: “I see you are new here. My name is Jay. Jay Harrison.” Very mature for a 13- year-old. We became instant friends.
“2. I played minor hockey. One winter, a fellow on my team came down with meningitis, and was gone within three days. All the parents were contacted, with instructions to get their sons to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs. I got back home around 6:00 pm. It was mid-winter, dark outside, and very misty. My parents were going away for an overnight stay, so I was on my own. Nothing was guaranteed with the drugs, so I called Jay, explained the situation, and told him this could be my last night on earth. He said “I will get a case of beer, and come right over”. Half an hour later there was a knock on the door. There stood Jay, with neither a car nor beer. He had overshot the turnoff to our subdivision and put the car in the ditch. We enlisted the aid of a neighbour, who pulled the car out unscathed. Jay and I then spent a long night listening to music and drinking way too much beer. We were 16 at the time. Think about that.”
And Gary Morton adds this tale:
“It was the end of the 70s and the 80s were closing in. Bill Stevens, Craig Kennedy and I decided that we wanted to have a new- sounding and young-looking band. I was looking to form a five-man horn section and I needed one trombone to sound like four. We needed young. enthusiastic, great players, and our choice of Trombone was Jay Harrison.
“Jay was one of our founding members and he only left us when he was transferred to Winnipeg.
“Jay was like Norm on cheers; when he came into the dressing room, we would all yell “Jay”.
“There are many stories about Jay, but one of the most memorable ones was when we were playing an event and they were serving lobster, and at the end of the evening there was a lot of food left over. The caterer asked us if we would like to take some lobster home with us. Jay promptly emptied his trombone case and said “Fill it up”. Jay took home a trombone case of lobster.
“Jay had plenty of solos with the band, and in about his 15th year he announced that he wanted to sing. So, we gave him a couple of tunes. One of the tunes will die in infamy. A song called Cannonball became popular and Jay grabbed it. We soon realized that audiences hated that song, and it would always empty the dance floor. Whenever we wanted people to go home, the guys would yell “Cannonball”. Jay would get out in front and sing with all the gusto he had and sure enough, the room emptied.
“Jay seemed to have a good instinct about all things musical. I asked him one day how he knew when the phrase was over, how he knew where the 2 5 1 was and how he knew everything that was happening, and he just looked at me and said, “I just know”.
“All of my memories of Jay Harrison are good.”
Gary Morton
for the Stevens & Kennedy Band
Rest in peace, good friend.
Robert Cleall
Robert (Bob or Bobby) Cleall was a member of the Musicians’ Association for an impressively long time: 60 years, from 1955 to 2015. This soft-spoken, trumpet-playing British import was immersed in so many aspects of musical life in Ottawa. He taught high school music in Ottawa and Gatineau (Philomen Wright), and he played in the Central Band and the Governor General’s Foot Guards Band, and, in retirement, the Centralaires. He led Grey Jazz for a number of years.
One of our members shared these memories of Bob:
“I first heard of Bob when I started at Nepean High School, where he used to teach music with T.L. Roy and Ron Milne. I can’t imagine how many times I heard “You should have been here last year when Mr. Cleall was here”. He ended up at Philemon Wright High School after that and had his school band regularly winning the Stage Band Festival local and national competitions. They even played one year at the Ottawa Musicians’ Annual Banquet at the Nepean Sportsplex. His students adored him!
“Throughout the sixties and seventies, he was a regular on touring shows in Ottawa at the NAC, Landsdowne Park, CBC and numerous other ‘big name’ gigs and shows. Bob was an excellent trumpet player with tons of experience; he was an excellent reader and very keen about jazz. He had military service on both sides of the Atlantic. He played in Vernon Isaac’s Big Band in the late 70’s.
“He was a humble man with an exceptionally open mind and an enthusiasm for music that was infectious.”
Tom Denison added the following:
“Bob was a great player and teacher. In addition to playing trumpet with Vernon Issac Big Band he also wrote a couple of charts for the band. (‘In a Perfumed Garden’, and ‘Black Cow’ by Steely Dan).”
Davina Pearl added these words:
“Bob Cleall was my band teacher and he was totally amazing!!! That was at Nepean High School, in the early 80s.
And then later I got to play for him in Grey Jazz, as an adult. I was so lucky…
He was so much fun and such an inspiration. Being in his school band felt like you were at the centre of the universe.
Everyone loved band. Looking forward to rehearsals.. And then we had the music nights where Vern Isaac came to join us on stage. It was electrifying.
One thing I remember him doing so well – he had a very gentle way of prompting you to realize you were playing something wrong, without making you feel singled out.
He was our champion. And he brought out the very best in us.
Rest in peace, Bob.”
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
PROPOSED PRICELIST CHANGES
– Most clauses have increased by the annual inflation rate for 2022 according to Statistics Canada (6.8%). Exceptions are Clauses 2B and 4B.
– Clause 6 (Casinos) has been deleted. Members can now use Clause 1A for casino engagements.
– The minimum pension contribution is now 12% (increased from 10%). With this latest increase, we can likely leave it at this level for many years.
– There is new language about liability insurance, doubling for percussion instruments, rental and cartage fees, and per diem rates.
– There is an added definition for “pro rata.”
– The mileage rate has increased from $0.61 to $0.68 (Canada Revenue Agency allowance).
– There is a new 25% premium for Clause 4E: Professional theatre (15% for Clause 4A: Amateur theatre) for players who appear on stage as part of the action.
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR ASSISTANCE
LOCAL 180 RELIEF FUND
With the support of the friends, family and fans of the membership of the Musicians’ Association of Ottawa-Gatineau, the Local established this fund to assist the music community impacted so deeply by the pandemic. It is a fund created by musicians for musicians. For more information email: robinmoir@ma180.org
UNISON BENEVOLENT FUND
The Unison Benevolent Fund’s mission is to help professional music-makers in times of hardship, illness or economic difficulties. Unison provides a vital lifeline for members of the Canadian music community; and due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for Unison’s counselling and emergency relief services has never been greater.
Unison Benevolent Fund CLICK HERE
SOCAN RELIEF FUND
SOCAN Foundation announces the launch of the SOCAN Foundation Relief Fund for SOCAN members during the COVID-19 pandemic. “While SOCAN members are quarantining, the SOCAN Foundation offers this program to provide some financial support to music creators and publishers to get through these unprecedented times. This new fund is open to all SOCAN members who have earned more than $500 in royalties in the four most recent SOCAN distributions. www.socanfoundation.ca
ACTORS’ FUND OF CANADA
Over the years many of our members have turned to the Actors’ Fund of Canada, which has been in existence since 1958 and disburses over $500,000 annually to cover necessities for members of all the many and various trades and professions that make up the entertainment industry, including musicians. Common requests include: Rent or mortgage, Grocery costs, Medical costs, Emergency dental costs, Utility bills Dues (maximum of one year’s worth of dues; no initiation fees)
Childcare expenses https://afchelps.ca/get-help/
https://afchelps.ca/covid-19-guide/
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S COVID-19 ECONOMIC REPSONSE PLAN
Support for individuals
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#individuals
Support for Independent production companies
We are creating the Short-Term Compensation Fund initiative to compensate independent production companies for the lack of insurance coverage for COVID-19–related filming interruptions and production shutdowns in the sector.The fund will make as much as $50 million available for the industry.
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#industry
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
The CRB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html
Employer Payroll Service:
When the services of an Employer Payroll Service are required, that fee will be calculated at 25% of each contract total.
This amendment reflects what is happening on a national level.
New Members
Chung, Soo Jin – Conductor
Coleman, Landon – Vocalist, Guitar, Electric, Piano, Guitar, Acoustic
Deshazer, Micha – Conductor, Cello, Saxophone, Saxophone, Baritone
Diaz, Jacob – Bass
Dimo, Xhovan – Clarinet
Fuerst, Jason – Piano, Percussion
Lai, Shannon – Cello, Piano
Levesque, Fellicia – Flute, Piccolo
Li, Delia Y Violin
Lin, Chia-ying Horn
Mun, Aram Flute
O’Connor, Rachel – French Horn
OPPONG-BOATENG, JOEL – Drums
Smith, Christopher – Guitar, Acoustic, Guitar, Electric, Vocalist, Percussion
Tarviji, Alireza – Violin, Viola, Piano
Vivies, Marie – Saxophone, Alto
Wu, Austin – Violin
Zhang, Yanqing – Clarinet
Resignations
Reinstated
Our mailing address is:
The Musicians’ Association of Ottawa-Gatineau
Local 180
280 Metcalfe Street, Suite 301
Ottawa, ON K2P 1R7
Suspended
2AFM ID Numbers
Dear Members,
For the purposes of filing contracts, the Musicians’ Pension Fund of Canada has done a great deal of work to protect the privacy of members in terms of SIN numbers. Canadian Locals are now permitted to use an AFM ID number in lieu of a SIN number on all contracts.
When sending funds from the Local 180 office, we will require you to know your AFM ID number.
Beginning in January this year, the office has included your AFM ID number on your membership dues receipt, which you received in the mail.
You may also go to cfmusicians.org and register there to obtain your AFM ID number and update any information. The good thing about registering on the site is that when you update your personal information, it is also received in the office so that we are current.
Upcoming Local 180 General Meetings in 2023
June 5 – 12:30 PM – In person and ON-Line VIA ZOOM
September 11 – 12:30 PM – In person and ON-Line VIA ZOOM
December 4 – 12:30 PM – In person and ON-Line VIA ZOOM
LOCAL OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Friday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Musicians’ Association of Ottawa-Gatineau
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR 2022
REVENUE:
Annual Dues 94,632
Work Dues 239,008
Other Revenue (3,901)
329,739
OPERATING EXPENSES:
General and administration Expenses 184,153
Per Capita 31,769
Professional Fees 6,055
Federation Work Dues 43,799
Insurance 2,280
Executive Board Expenses 11,470
279,526
NET surplus (deficit) from opertions 50,214
Gain (loss) on investments 1,246
NET surplus (deficit) for the period 51,460
Attention Members!!!
Due to popular demand members may now pay membership dues using E-Mail Transfer using the email address
Once we process the transfer, we will send you an electronic receipt.
____________
If you are planning to file contracts electronically in 2022, please use
our new e-mail address:
Thank you!
_____________
YOU’VE GOT MAIL & MONEY TO DEPOSIT!!!
Do we have your current email address?
The Local 180 Office sends out important advisories to members by email and we want to make sure that you’re reachable. This year the Local will also be paying most musicians using E-Transfer and Direct Deposit, so we MUST have your correct e-mail address.
Please notify the office of any changes to your contact information. Include your phone number, home address and email address.
Call (613)700-9260 to make sure that we have your correct contact information.
A REMINDER ABOUT EXPELLED MEMBERS
A person who has been expelled from our Association is no longer a member of the Association or the AFM. Members and leaders are reminded:
Do not play engagements with non-members. Persons are generally expelled for serious violations of our Constitution and Bylaws. Expulsion is not a life sentence; the individual has the right to settle these matters with the Board and regain member status. But until that step has been taken, we urge leaders and members not to give non-member rights and privileges which belong only to members.
Next Deadline for Membership Dues January 31, 2023
PENALTIES
TO REINSTATE FROM RESIGNING IN GOOD STANDING – $10.00
TO REINSTATE FROM SUSPENSION – $35.00
TO REINSTATE FROM EXPULSION – $45.00
Your business is music to our ears.
You spend hours perfecting your talent and invest in equipment which allows you to express it.
HUB International is in-tune with your needs and has you covered.
PROGRAM FEATURES
HUB PROGRAM COVERAGES
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All-risks’ coverage on your instruments and equipment
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Worldwide coverage – no Territory Exception
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Rental Reimbursement — up to $10,000 in coverage, if you need to rent instruments or
equipment in the event of a loss -
$100 deductible per occurrence on instruments and equipment, as opposed to other proposed rates are $250
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Up to $2,500 coverage on promotion material, T-shirts, CD’s, posters, etc.
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Loss of earnings up to $5,000 due to loss or damage to venue
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Loss of earning up to $5,000 due to loss or damage to equipment
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Locked vehicle – no exclusion
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Rented, Leased or Borrowed Equipment, $10,000 limit up to 30 consecutive days
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Optional Commercial General Liability including bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, tenants legal liability and non-owned automobile
RATES AND PREMIUMS
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$2.20 rate per $100 sum insured for Instruments and Equipment ($100 deductible)
Liability rates ($500 deductible):
-
$1,000,000 limit – $66/member
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$2,000,000 – $127/member
Higher limits available upon request
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APPLY FOR COVERAGE
Cristina Omar| cristina.omar@hubinternational.com | 519-325-1785 | TF:800-463-4700
