Mutual Musicians Foundation International: Calling All Black Musicians From The 1930s Thru 1970s

William W. May writes:

Greetings Mr. Zick,

The press release below is sent on behalf of Ms. Anita Dixon, executive director, of the Mutual Musicians Foundation International (MMFI), also known as Local 627 of the American Federation of Musicians, located in Kansas City, MO.

Local 627 was chartered by the American Federation of Musicians in 1917 as the separate local for African American "Colored" musicians in Kansas City, MO. In 1965 the executive board of the American Federation mandated the merging of African-American and white locals in the same jurisdiction, Local 627 is the only "Colored" local to maintain its identity.

In 2017 Local 627 will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The press release below addresses the kick-off event to the 100th anniversary.                                                                                                                                  

Kansas City, MO — The Mutual Musicians Foundation International (MMFI) will hold an awards gala for surviving black musicians and performers of the “colored” unions begun by the American Federation of Musicians (AFofM.), June 16-18, 2016. 

The foundation is requesting all who may have belonged to a segregated musicians union or were represented by a black organizer of the American Federation of Musicians, to please contact them with their information so that they can arrange for travel to Kansas City in June.Please send your information to: anita@mutualmusicians.org, or call resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png(816) 612-0864 and you will be sent your travel arrangements. The deadline is April 31, 2016.

The Mutual Musicians Foundation, once known as Local 627 or, the “colored” musicians union, began March 2, 1917 as a charter of the AFofM. This National Historic Landmark located at 1823 Highland since 1930, is considered to be ground zero for what is known as one of the four pillars of the entire creation of jazz in American history.

“We recognize that few people in the world know of the contributions of these segregated unions to art and culture in America and since the desegregation era, many of these great musicians and performers are in their late 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s and dying daily. We want to bring as many as we can find to Kansas City, do oral and video histories and preserve the memory of their talents for generations to come,” said Anita J. Dixon, Executive Director of the MMFI.

For more details about the Mutual Musicians Foundation International (MMFI), visit www.mutualmusiciansfoundation.org or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MMFInternational/

Comment by email:

Bill,  Many thanks! I will share the link with Anita -- WWM  [William W. May]