Musicians Corner May 2015

American Federation of Musicians, Local 174-496, New Orleans

Proudly Presents

Musicians Corner

An Online Showcase of Our Union Members

Vol. 2 No. 5 May 2015

Welcome to MUSICIANS CORNER!

Our featured, world-class musicians for May

are the husband & wife team,

Leroy Jones and Katja Toivola-Jones

From the birthplaces of New Orleans, Louisiana and Helsinki,

Finland, to movie sets, jazz clubs and festivals, these musicians

entertain and educate countless thousands throughout the world.

Catch them perform at Jazz Fest on Thursday, April 30th!

We hope you enjoy our talented union musicians!

Leroy Jones Member Since 1976

BIO: The legendary jazz trumpeter Leroy Jones is known to music lovers as the "keeper of the flame" for traditional New Orleans jazz and to critics as one of the top musicians ever produced by the Crescent City. A regular at Preservation Hall in New Orleans and a featured performer in the Harry Connick Orchestra, where his playing and singing have made him a crowd favorite, Leroy has performed on every continent and in every major U.S. city at prestigious theaters, festivals and jazz clubs like the Village Vanguard in New York City. He is also a regular at the world famous New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, as well as French Quarter Fest and the Satchmo Summerfest. Read more...

Website: Leroy Jones
Facebook: Leroy's Page

YouTube: The Helsinki Connection

Why I Joined the Union: "I am in the Union because it was the proper thing to do at the time when I wanted to become a professional musician. When I first joined the Union in 1976, before the right to work act, it seemed to function to my benefit more efficiently. I still feel that being a Union member often provides professional opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable."

Katja Toivola-Jones Member Since 2006

BIO: Trombonist Katja Toivola-Jones has been acquainted with the music styles of New Orleans for over twenty years. She made her first visit to the Crescent City in 1995, and now divides her time between her two hometowns: Helsinki and New Orleans. Toivola has played with the Riverside Rascals, a popular Finnish jazz band since 1996, and has been leading her own bands; the New Orleans Helsinki Connection and the Spirit of New Orleans since 2001. Read more...

Website: Katja Toivola-Jones

Facebook: Katja's Page

YouTube: Some of these days - Spirit of New Orleans featuring Leroy Jones @ Yll?s Jazz Blues

Why I Joined the Union: "In today's economy, it is more important than ever that musicians hold to a high professional standard and demand fair compensation for their talent and expertise. Seeing the massive income being generated in New Orleans by music, musicians, and music related events, it is high time for musicians to organize and stand together as a united front to promote a fairer distribution of profits."