On Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, MFM held its 2025 Annual Membership Meeting.
The meeting was opened and hosted by MFM President Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi. During his introduction, he mentioned that our membership has not increased significantly and that we need more members. He noted that for the first time, a venue owner, namely Steven Walter of the Cutting Room, where MFM held our 10th anniversary Event, joined MFM. He also spoke about his hopes that young people will step up and take the reins one day.
The nominated slate for the Board of Directors was as follows:
· Adam Reifsteck (pianist, composer, label owner)
· Barry Heyman (music attorney)
· Christopher North (Vice President, soundtrack recording artist, and educator)
· Mario Guarneri (trumpet, educator, President of San Francisco’s JAZZ IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD and Independent Musicians Alliance)
· Roger Blanc (Treasurer, guitarist, and arranger-composer)
· Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi (President, saxophonist, and band leader)
· Stephen Johnson (Hudson Valley Chapter leader, guitarist, band leader, and activist)
Roger Blanc and Stephen Johnson introduced themselves.
The vote was unanimous: 11 members voted in person, 18 by email, one by call-in, and two by text. A total of 32 of 52 members voted. Congrats!
Adam Reifsteck and Chris North, who is taking over the vice presidency from Adam Reifsteck, were unable to attend the meeting. Reifsteck will remain on the board, but stepped down as vice president. He wants to support MFM particularly through website updates, social media management, and oversight of our social media advertising efforts. He is also our Webmaster and marketing expert.
Mario Guarneri arrived late. His work with JAZZ IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD and Independent Musicians Alliance has been responsible for the distribution of approximately $20 million to performing musicians. He offered an update on his recent work in the music community.
Roger Blanc offered a report of MFM’s finances. Our total revenues by December 2nd were up from last year, from $4,147 to $6,179. MFM’s expenses have increased from $6,033 last year to $9,533.33. This leaves a deficit of -$3354. Similarly, our cash flow has decreased from the previous year: $2059 to $942. We have $942 in the bank to cover any immediate expenses (excluding projected membership renewals). This impacts our ability to produce events and initiate other projects.
Blanc also commented that the recent 10th-anniversary event at The Cutting Room went well in many ways. Part of the deal between MFM and the venue’s management was that we needed to meet a minimum revenue threshold for the event. Just letting you know this was done. Other financial elements of the event didn’t work out as well as hoped, primarily in t-shirt sales and new membership.
Stephen Johnson, leader of the Kingston Chapter, reported on the Hudson Valley chapter. He began by mentioning the recent passing of saxophonist Ray Blue. He mentioned other events in the Hudson Valley that served as networking opportunities. Their membership diminished a little bit.
Peter Wexler joined the conversation. He announced that he was leaving the board. He mentioned that with MFM’s membership, we need more women and younger people.
Barry Hyman was asked to speak about music rights in 2025. He said the biggest story of our time is the continued growth and development of AI music. He talked about how major labels once litigated against AI, but are now leasing their catalogs for AI models. Uploads of AI-generated music are diluting royalty payments to human artists. He also mentioned the importance of the American Music Fairness Act of 2025 as an additional revenue stream, a bipartisan bill introduced in the 119th Congress to establish performance royalties for artists and producers when their music is played on terrestrial AM/FM radio.
Sohrab introduced Michael Moorin, a Connecticut-based MFM member and developer of the app Meethook. This web- and mobile-based app connects hosts and producers for paid live sessions. He also developed Meethook Live, a live or prerecorded streaming platform.
MFM member, classical singer, electrical engineer, and entrepreneur Hamid Najafi built AI-based streaming platforms for concert/live music called Zexa. He briefly spoke about how they work, noting that their AI algorithm automatically performs panning and zooming to enhance the video experience. It has editing capabilities and streams live performances. Streaming and posting allow musicians to monetize their work.
Banning Eyre, a member of the Advisory Committee, spoke about the webinar he hosted in April 2024 on Fela Kuti, featuring people involved with him, such as Sandra Isadore. He discussed the possibility of a ZOOM Talk Event with Zimbabwe’s legendary musician and activist, Thomas Mapfumo. He also mentioned the possibility of a ZOOM Webinar with Roger Blanc on music theory and other technical aspects.
Sohrab spoke about the automatic renewal of membership dues, which can be canceled at any time. A few members have had disagreements with this process.
The conversation turned to the problems posed by AI. This led to spirited discussion among all the members.
All things considered, 2025 was a good year, but it could’ve been a lot better. We have a great deal of work ahead of us and need to be ready to face the challenges and changes happening in the music business and the world.