American Federation of Musicians Local 109 is established.

(Aug.) When Local 535 for Boston musicians is subsequently established, 109 becomes exclusively a union for African-American musicians. Nat Hentoff later “It’s still beyond my limited understanding why Boston, or any other city, for that matter, requires two locals – one for whites, the other for Negroes. Music is supposed to be the most democratic of the arts; what excuse, then, is there for segregation in that realm.” The two unions merge as Local 109-535 in April 1970.