Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Union Local 471, American Federation of Musicians. Organized in 1908, this local was one of the first African American musicians unions in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh was at the forefront of the jazz world in the mid-20th century, and jazz greats Mary Lou Williams, Art Blakey, Ray Brown, and George Ben
son, among others, were members. A controversial merger with the white union local in the 1960s ended one of the oldest black union organizations in the US. Headquarters was nearby, 1940-1954.
Listen to the audio guide for Blue plaque № 28415 Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off