Posts Tagged ‘Music Under New York’
The Day is Better
On my way to my Music Under New York busking spot at the Grand Central Station’s Shuttle, I passed by Scout, the rhythm and blues/pop/jazz singer who goes by the name Eunique. He was busking at Times Square. A lady, upon giving me a donation, said: “What can I say – the day is better!”…
Read MoreAching Soul
At the Music Under New York busking spot at the 34th street subway station an Andean flute player was playing. He has been there since 10am. He only plays in the subway on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The rest of the days he sells Ecuadorian stuff, like bracelets, sweaters, etc., at street fairs. He has…
Read MoreWhere Do You Place Your Voice?
Remi, the Haitian singer/guitar player, was at the Music Under New York busking spot at the 14th street subway station when I got there. He has been there for an hour, he said. He likes to play at St. Marks Place, near where he lives. He has been there for 10 years now and has…
Read MoreHow Many Grandchildren
At the Music Under New York busking spot at the 14th street subway station Raices Group were performing: Edgar on flute and Geo on guitar. While I was waiting for them to be finished, a group of MTA construction workers wearing yellow/orange vests walked by. One of them said to his friend: “Hey, it’s the…
Read MoreBut I Still Love You
As I was riding the train towards my busking spot, a guy with a tape-recorder in his hands boarded the train at the 59th street subway station. He asked me if I was going to 14th street. I told him that today I’m playing at the Grand Central Station’s Shuttle to Times Square. Man: “But…
Read MoreOccupational Hazards
The train rolled slowly into the subway station, on account of the track workers repairing the tracks. As the first car went by me the train driver smiled and nodded at me. Two track workers passed by me as I was waiting to get into the train. One of them asked me how I was…
Read MoreWhiling Away the Ride
The ferry boats to Staten Island have names. The one I took this time, on my way to the Music Under New York busking spot in the ferry terminal, was named ‘American Spirit’. The Staten Island ferry landing place is modern, while the one right next to it, which launches the ferry to Governor’s Island,…
Read MoreMusic Under New York Audition 2009
Yesterday I was at the annual Music Under New York audition – the audition for performers who want to get permits to play in the NYC subway. Having passed that audition myself many years ago I can identify with the musicians flocking the audition. This year 270 musicians, dancers and living statues submitted an application…
Read MoreThe Smell of Baked Goods
As I was transferring trains at Union Square I saw Dan Stevens playing guitar and singing at the Music Under New York busking spot. A woman was dancing with a little kid to the sound of the music. My busking spot for the day was at the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in lower Manhattan. An older…
Read MoreCops Photographing Buskers
I held the elevator doors at the Times Square subway station for a slow walking oriental gentleman. He said to me: “you play the musical saw”. Saw Lady: “You’ve seen me?” Gentleman: “Yes. I play violin”. The elevator doors opened and we said our goodbyes. I sat up at the Music Under New York busking…
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