Viewing NYC Articles Categorized Under Buskers

[VIDEO] Meet Eddie Rapp, a Chef Turned Street Musician Busking in Central Park

2024-03-29T12:00:00-04:00

Former chef turned street musician Eddie Rapp only picked up the fiddle when he was 30 years old, teaching himself the craft by playing along with a Charlie Daniels album until he could emulate it. Years later, he found out that he taught himself how to play backwards and upside down!

Unlike those who are taught how to play the violin, Eddie holds the instruments in a different way, making it hard for him to play the higher notes. While he was playing the fiddle in Central Park, Mark Conner saw him & was amazed how, being self taught & holding the violin in an odd manner, Eddie managed to bring out such a variety of tunes.

In this video from Barbara Marcolini, Rapp explains why he comes out to Central Park every day to play the fiddle.

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[WATCH] Lucky Chops - Funkytown w/ Leo P and Adrian Condis (Live in the NYC Subway)

2024-01-31T12:00:00-05:00

We're celebrating 17 years of Lucky Chops with this special reunion performance video filmed in the subways of New York, where we got our first big break! Here's our classic mashup cover of Funkytown/I Feel Good featuring LC alumni Leo P and Adrian Condis. Enjoy the bari sax extravaganza!

Video by Austin Kruczek @austinkruczek

Daro Behroozi - baritone saxophone
Josh Holcomb - trombone
Rogerst Charles - alto saxophone
Joshua Gawel - trumpet
Ben Holcomb - drums
Nora Nalepka - sousaphone
Special Guests: Adrian Condis, Leo P, Cyzon Griffen

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[VIDEO] Subway Busking with Green Day and Jimmy Fallon

2024-01-23T12:00:00-05:00

Jimmy Fallon and Green Day busk in disguise on a subway platform in New York City, performing "Basket Case" and a cover of "Feel Like Makin' Love."

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[WATCH] A Cinematic Capture of a Typical Subway Commute in New York City

2023-04-28T12:00:00-04:00

This great short film by Vimeo uploader Chris Mark Video shows scenes from a typical New York City subway commute through a cinematic lens.

This video documents a normal commute on the NYC MTA.

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[WATCH] Star Trek Theme Song Played on a Musical Saw in Union Square Subway Station

2022-06-24T12:00:00-04:00

We have written previously about Natalia Paruz, NYC's resident Saw Lady.

Paruz had once hoped to be professional dancer, but after being hit by a car near Lincoln Center, she had to find a new career path. [...] She found the musical saw, learned to play and landed in this unexpected career of busking and performing

Here, the Saw Lady entertains straphangers in the Union Square subway station by playing a eerie rendition of the Star Trek theme song. Paruz's music is available on Apple Music.

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[WATCH] This Beatboxer Quit His Job to Busk in the New York City Subway

2021-11-03T16:00:00-04:00

Beatboxer Sung Lee (a.k.a. Sung Beats) is an award-winning local beatboxer and looper that quit his job a few years back to play gigs and busk in the New York City subway full time. In a typical day, the artist will make several hundred dollars performing for tips. In this profile video from NowThis, follow Lee as he goes about a typical day busking underground, then performing above ground as well.

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[WATCH] We Live This, a Mini-Documentary About a Group of NYC Subway Dance Performers

2021-08-20T16:00:00-04:00

We Live This is a mini documentary from filmmaker James Burns that follows the subway dance group by the same name as they go through a typical day dancing and busking in the New York City subway.

A story of four young boys from the projects. Most New Yorkers who ride the subway have opinions about them, but what lies beneath these young performers is more than what meets the eye.

Check out the project page for more info.

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[VIDEO] Brass Buskers Lucky Chops Performing Inside Union Square Subway Station

2021-06-18T12:00:00-04:00

Check out Lucky Chops to hear more from the brasscore buskers.

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[REPOST] Meet Cover Story, a Harmonious Doo-Wop Band Busking in the New York City Subway

2021-04-06T16:00:00-04:00

Viewing NYC has written previously about the MTA's Arts and Design division creating the Music Under New York (MUNY) program which features over 350 musicians, groups and performers in sponsored Subway performances across the City.

One of these 350 is Cover Story, a group of 5 singers and an accompanying stand-up bassist, sings classic doo-wop songs from the 40's, 50's and early 60's. I was lucky enough to be passing through the 34th Street Harold Square station yesterday when my finely-tuned, indifferent New York City ear canal picked up the sweet sound of a 4-part vocal harmony. As I approached the music, it became clear that this wasn't your average group of busking subway musicians. Whoever's job it is to curate the 350 MUNY selections should get a raise.

The song Cover Story is singing here is the 1960 Sam Cooke classic "Chain Gang"

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[WATCH] Street Dreams, a Mini-Documentary About the NYC Rappers Who Still Sell CDs By Hand

2019-10-10T12:00:00-04:00

Street Dreams is a well-made mini-documentary released in 2016 by hip-hop and indie rock website Pigeons & Planes that follows some of the hip-hop rappers and promoters performing and selling CDs on the New York City streets.

We may be in a digital age of music, but guerrilla marketing is alive and well. Meet three rappers who sell their music on the streets of New York, handing out CDs in the hope that one stranger will be their ticket to success.

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