HISTORY
The first beginnings of the Musicians' Association date back to the fall of 1889. At that time there was a national organization known as the Musicians Mutual Protective Union. There was no branch in Seattle, the nearest one being in San Francisco.
It was a rule of the M.M.P.U. that a new branch could not organize without permission from the nearest union so it was necessary for the Seattle "boys" to communicate with San Francisco to make the necessary arrangements. Charles E. Bray, Frank Hopkins and T.H. "Dad" Wagner formed a committee and telegraphed to the San Famcisco local for permission to form a union. The S. F. union didn't have any objections because Seattle was so far away and permission was granted. The official number given to the seattle M.M.P.U when they were organized was 76. The local has kept this number ever since.
The Board of Directors created a Constitution, By-Laws, Directory and Price List of 1892. The years 1892 & 1893 were a period of extreme hard times and the Price List (wage scale) had to be suspended while musicians played for anything they could get. There was talk of dissolving the union and in order to keep the union intact, it was decided to suspend the price list.
The Musicians' Union then became a union in name only and it became common practice for members to go out and play for nothing and then pass the hat. This hat passing was the start of the ten-cent dances.
The American Federation of Musicians Local 76 was originally chartered on March 1, 1898. On January 14, 1958- African American members of the segregated AFM Local 493 were amalgamated with those of Local 76, forming one integrated Local. For further information on Local 493 and it's predecessor Local 458 we recommend an article "Sweethearts of Jazz" written for "Columbia" magazine by David Keller in 2009. In December 1994 our title was officially changed to "Local 76-493", celebrating our rich history among all of our members.
Susan McLain
1996-2002
McLain is a harp player. She was the first female president of this Local and acted as Secretary-Treasurer before becoming President.
Morris "Mori" Simon
1995-1996
In addition to much union involvement, Simon was Personell Manager with the Seattle Symphony. 50 year member and acted as business representative in the early 1970’s.
Ken Shirk
1993-1995
Shirk plays trombone and tuba. He acted as Secretary-Treasurer before becoming president. He was Secretary-Treasurer at AFM Local 99 in Portland and is currently Assistant to the President for the Western United States for the AFM.
L.D. "Larry" McDonell
1978-1979
McDonell played piano and organ and also worked with Vice President Terry Cruise.
L.H. "Lee" Newman
1973
Newman played piano and served on the Kitsap County Labor Council. He worked with Vice President Terry Cruise.
Norm Hoagy
1969-1972 / 1974-1977
At various times in his career, Hoagy served on the board, as vice president and with the Seattle Arts Commission (now 4culture). He was an arranger and played tenor saxophone. He also hosted a popular jazz radio program with bassist Tom “Red” Kelly.
C.W. "Chet" Ramage
1963-1968 / 1980-1993
Ramage was a member of our local for over 65 years. In the 1950’s, he was appointed as International Representative for the AFM to the U.S and Canadian offices. As local labor leader he served with King County Labor Council and was appointed by the state governor to work at the Dept. of Labor and Industries.
John R. "Jackie" Souders
1960-1962
Souders was also a member of AFM Local 47 in Los Angeles. He acted as a board member before and after his presidency. He was the Director of the Seattle World’s Fair Band, and worked as a well-known band leader until his untimely death in 1968.
Alvin Schardt
1957-1960
Schardt was a leading French horn player in Seattle in his time. His peers regarded him as humble and bright, noting he was a good mediator at general membership meetings. After his presidency he was an active board member.
Leslie "Tiny" Martin
1955-1957
At age 16 he joined the Seattle Symphony and eventually became more active in the union. After he left Seattle, Martin played bass for 30 years in the Boston Symphony.
Harry L. Reed
1944-1955
His motto: “A person should put more into an organization than he takes out of it.” Originally from Boston, Reed played the organ.
Ordel McLain
1933-1944
McLain was a traveling theater and symphony musician. He helped to organize and was the first president of the Northwest Conference of Musicians. He played the drums.
A.P. Adams
1932-1933
Like several presidents before him, Adams was president back when our local office was at 2025 – 4th Ave, across from what is now the Cinerama. He was bandleader of the Adams Band.
Harry Pelletier
1928-1932 / 1962-1963
Pelletier played in the Seattle Symphony. He was active as a Tacoma Rotary member, which led to further civic participation and local political activity that included in helping in the construction of the Volunteer Park Water Tower.
T.H. Wagner
1923-1928
Known around town as Dad Wagner, T.H. Wagner led the most popular marching band in town called the Dad Wagner Band. He arrived in Seattle in the 1880’s as an accompanying cornetist to a traveling theatrical troupe. When he opted to stay, he was soon selected to lead the 2nd Regiment National Guard Band, a position that helped earn him a beloved place in local’s hearts. The Dad Wagner Band was formed after playing for the celebration of Washington’s Statehood and the 1909 AYPE Fair. It was this band that played free concerts in Pioneer Square after the Great Fire of Seattle wiped out much of downtown in 1889. The band played locally and toured nationally. As president, Wagner served with Vice President Harry Pelletier.
Frank Bradley
1920-1923
Before his presidency, Bradley, a cornetist, was a delegate to the 1915 San Francisco Convention. He later served with Vice President Chas Morris.
Chas Morris
1920
Morris played trombone & cello and served with Vice President Frank Bradley. He later moved to Los Angeles to work in theaters.
Robert Hainsworth
1920
Hainsworth immigrated from England. He was a composer and long-time member until his death in 1967. Married to concert pianist Erma (Peterson) Hainsworth. Served with Vice President Chas Morris.
L.N. Curtis
1919
Curtis served with Vice Presidents Robert Hainsworth and Jack Earle.
William E Murray
1916-1919
Belonged to the Seattle Symphony Society and to Wagner's band. He possessed expert skill on different musical instruments, particularly the bassoon, and was widely known for his talents, which rendered him a popular figure in musical circles.
Daniel "Dan" Grinrod
1916
Cornetist
Brooks Parker
1911-1914
Parker lived to the ripe age of 97. An army bugler at first, he played during the Spanish-American War. He came to Seattle in 1905 with a minstrel show and joined the Seattle Symphony in the same year. During this time he acted as Union President and played in a flute trio. On a California tour he met his wife and settled in Berkeley. In 1920, he moved to New York City where he played with the New York Philharmonic. Then, in the late 1940’s his family was struck by tragedy, which caused a subsequent move back to Seattle in 1950. Again, he played with the Symphony, leaving the orchestra a second time in 1954 because of weakened eyesight.
F.A. Rust
1898 - 1906
During his term, Rust acted as a delegate to the Central Labor Council, now known as Martin Luther King County Labor Council.
W.A. Ballard
1906-1911
Bio not available.
William Bruce
1896-1897
Clarinet/Baritone
William Mathew
1896
Bio not available.
L.E. Booth
1892 - 1896 / 1897 - 1898
A Charter member and Alto player.
V.K. Tout
1890-1892
Bio not available.
