NYC Buskers: A Video Gallery

I have been performing in the New York City Subway for years and in doing so, I have become a member of an amazing and talented community of performers and musicians. We are scattered out on platforms and stations and spidering throughout the city.  

The heart of this community pulses through the transit system, streets and parks.  I am drawn in as much as any passerby when I hear an instrument or see a crowd forming, but I join the viewers with a deep sense of pride. 

I love this community I have become a part of and I want to share their spontaneous and moving performances with the world. I have compiled many clips of buskers throughout my years and have compiled a Busker Video Gallery on my website. 

Each week I put up a new "Featured Artist," and continue to add to the gallery of my community. 

This week's Featured Video is doo-wop group The Chosen Voices performing "Twisting the Night Away."  On the day I filmed this, they were getting off one car and about to jump on the next when they saw me and shouted out "Hey SubwayGirl!" I called for them to come over and sing for me and they did.  These are the spontaneous moments that are so precious to me.

 

Fellow buskers should feel empowered to share my videos on their pages and with their fans; or you can send me videos and I will add them to the gallery. 

I have also compiled a list of buskers and their websites. If you find a mistake or you are a busker looking to be added to the list, please email me.

For those interested in busking in New York City, I have extensive information about rules and regulations of MTA, NYC, and information about the Music Under New York program here.

The 2014 Music Under New York new artists have offically been announced. Find them here. Great job to all those who auditioned. 

 

Street I Am, Guest Blogger about Buskers @NewMuseum

Street I Am is about about: Street Entertainment News – Street Art, Buskers, Street Performance, gatherings, festivals, parades.  I am happy to post their recent blog about the opening night at the New Museum where I performed.  Also featuring another street performer Jacob Cohen the subway cello.  Read on…...

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February 19, 2014 by Iru Streetiam 

Subway Buskers meet The Neighbors, Pawel Althamer

Subway buskers in collaboration @NewMuseum - Pawel althamer ” The Neighbors” Sculpture and Music as One -

Collaboration commences as Subway Cello sets tone at exhibit opening,- NYCSubwaygirl to follow -

Two of New York City’s finest subway buskers are a part of an innovative gallery experience at the New Museum in NYC. Polish born sculptor Pawel Althamer’s, The Neighbors exhibit runs into the month of April. The sound track is provided by some of the best street musicians in town.

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subway buskers One of these outstanding subway buskers is Jacob Cohen from NYC, known as the Subway Cello. He is seen here playing his heart out for the exhibit’s Grand Opening. Positioned  in the middle of the visitors creative space, he set the tone for collaboration. People who attend the exhibit are invited to draw an the walls as you see in the picture. Musicians play live music from the street below the gallery. The live music is broadcast throughout rooms of magnificent sculpture. 

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Althamer-roomfull A multi-level collaboration.

The Subway Cello has many styles and all of them resonate with a timbre of sophistication. Sometimes classic sometimes jazz, maybe hip hop or even pornographic. His many sides are revealed for one and all on his website and his YouTube documentary. Jacob Cohen Documentary

 and here's another Street I Am post by Patrick Rulh 

Busking NYCSubwaygirl one of The Neighbors collaborates in Althamer Exhibit @NewMuseum

The 2nd of the subway buskers, Cathy Grier has a website http://nycsubwaygirl.com and a lot more. She not only loves to play in the subway but she likes to write about it too. This is part of what she has to say about the Pawel Althamer exhibit The Neighbors

On thursday February 20th from 6-9 pm I will be performing at the New Museum during the Pawel Althamer exhibition. Pawel wanted to have street musicians performing during the exhibit to express the idea of collaboration and connection. I will be performing from time to time until April 12th (here’s a link to my schedule).  Many other street musicians have been selected to also perform.

Someone asked me why I don’t consider this a concert series in a museum lobby. I am being amplified so that the live music is carried up into the exhibition onto the 3rd floor. Since I have seen the exhibition, it changes the way I perform.

Cathy Grier – NYC Subway Girl : The Back of the Busk

This documentary will give you some music and a chance to meet this New York City talent.