Edmund Velasco

Vice President, American Federation of Musicians Local 7

As a saxophonist in Southern California, Edmund Velasco has made many guest appearances with Joe LaBarbara, Tony Dumas, Ron Eschete and many others. He has also performed twice at the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.

Edmund has performed at many important local venues, including the Baked Potato, L.A.’s Catalina Bar & Grill, Steamers Jazz Café, Campus Jax, The San Jose Jazz Festival, The Manoshinos Festival and The Funchal Jazz Festival.

He has played professionally for over thirty-five years with such top names as Mel Torme, Eddie Daniels, Ernie Andrews, Barbara Morrison and many others. His quintet has four CD releases and he has appeared in many other projects. He also worked at Disneyland for 28 years, served on the negotiating team for several contracts and was chief union steward for years.

Edmund has served on the Executive Board of Local 7 for the past 18 years and now serves as President. He has participated in the fight for Disney workers including hosting and moderating the Abigail Disney’s documentary The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales, work actions with the RMA against the AMPTP, unionizing Graduate students in the UC university system, the current Medieval Times strike and others.

Edmund is a delegate to the OC Labor Federation and is very involved with Arts organizations. He is on the board of California Arts Advocates, Arts OC and is VP of California for the Arts. He is actively addressing legislators to change state laws to empower musicians throughout California.