Performing in the Graybar corridor of Grand Central Staion, I discovered INTI and the Moon, a trio led by guitarist Geovanni Suquillo, with Fatih Tabboushe-percussion and Muammer Aryar-Guitar. Geo has been with the Music Under NY program for many years and I am always thrilled to find him performing. He has a way of collaborating with other musicians that makes his music sound fresh and organic.
Ray Subway Sax player
I met Ray Blue at 57th st on the downtown R/Q platform. He was blowing away on his tenor. We chatted. here's a little slice of a subway performer's life.
2012 Music Under NY auditions
2012 Music Under New York auditions were held at Grand Central Terminal Vanderbilt Hall. May 16, 2012. As a MUNY artist I was asked to be a judge. I captured the event and I asked my favorite question, "what's your inspiration?" Here's what I heard:
- NY Guitar Festival artistic director and judge David Spelman: "sounds of NY, I don't wear an ipod, there are too many wonderful sounds..the wild polyphony of mayhem that we hear all around is an inspiration."
- Music Under NY violinist Ebony Hillbillies and judge Henrique Prince : "Life, …art, that music can allow you to be different all the time that you can keep growing until the last minute, and you can get better and better, how many things in life are like that except.. food."
- Music Under NY artist and volunteer Jahstix: "Life + possibility of magic at every moment, + the goodness and love."
- Auditionee and accordionist Melissa Elledge: "feeling grateful that I'm in a city that I can make a living doing what I want to do." Update: since her audition, now now a MUNY artist.
- award winning recording artist and judge Dane Zanes: "I felt that I was part of the NY musical overground."
- Music Under NY classical guitarist and judge Don Witter Jr. "music making and the boldness of young people who believe in what they are doing and do it."
- documentary filmmaker, 78 Project and judge Alex Styermark: "authenticity and people who are just trying to make the most out of what they've got."
MTA clip of 2012 auditions
check out the clip made by MTA's Joseph Chan, nice that I had the chance to be interviewed by Joe.
The auditions are really a true NYC experience. All I can say is that although I'm exhausted (I was a judge), I'm exhilarated by the talent and the dedication of the 33 volunteer judges that heard 70 acts over 6 hours. The MTA Arts For Transit and Music Under New York program is as important as any musical institution or museum, it's a treasure.
Music Under New York annual auditions
2012 MUNY auditions. Getting ready for this years annual Music Under New York auditions. For the past few years they have been held in the upper balcony of Grand Central Station with a wonderful view down to the main hall. Now the balcony is an Apple store, so this year the auditions have returned to the illustrious grand Vanderbilt Hall in the station. That's where I had my audition in 1999, and t he acoustics alone are worth going for the price of admission=FREE.
Hope to see you there.
Here's a little idea of what you can expect, NYCSubwayGirl style, as the 2011 clip I enjoyed getting more of the behind the scenes perspective.
Agua Clara May 2012
One of the treasures of the Music Under New York program is Agua Clara. I was passing through 34th street last week and there they were, sounding so joyful, musical and lovely. I always like to film other performers and usually edit clips down to 1 minute or so, but this one speaks for itself. The camaraderie of seeing another busker like myself as they acknowledge and smile is a fun part of the underground musical community. Performing in public spaces is such a wonderful way to share our art.
Music Under NY auditions Wednesday May 16
Wednesday is the annual Music Under New York auditions held all day in the Vanderbilt Hall of Grand Central Station. I was lucky enough to get an audition back in 1999 and am proud to still be a member of such a wonderful program.
This year I'll be one of the many judges and look forward to hearing the different musical acts vying for a slot in the MUNY program. For a truly NYC experience come and witness the art of performing in public spaces. It will not disappoint.
Wednesday May 16th Grand Central Terminal Vanderbilt Hall 9-3pm
WNYC our amazing public radio station is calling for video and photo submissions of your favorite subway performer. I know of so many fantastic performers, you pass them every day. It would be wonderful if you come and find me too and capture it for the WNYC audience. follow the link and submit.
here are my 2010 and 2011 audition clips:
2011
2010
Divas Underground 2012
Thursday March 29, 12noon-7pm 14 Street/Union Square
NYCSubwayGirl Cathy Grier performs 3:40pm-4:20
Union SQuare 14th Street subway station above N/R line will have a very exciting event of women performers of the Music Under NY program throughout the day. check out the line-up and come and support live music in public spaces:
* Divas Underground: In celebration of Women’s History Month, Music Under New York’s divas will perform a marathon concert with some dedications to the beloved divas Etta James, Amy Winehouse, and Whitney Houston, whom we have lost recently.
12:00-12:30Wendy Sayvetz www.abacaproductions.com
12:30- 1:10 Arlethia www.arlethiagospel.com
1:10- 1:50 Lindsay Dragan www.Lindsaydragan.comwww.Wearesunshowers.com
1:50- 2:20 Marcella Adame
2:20- 3:00 Heidi Kole http://www.thesubwaydiaries.com
3:00- 3:40 Martine Bruno www.martinabruno.com
3:40- 4:20 Cathy Grier www.nycsubwaygirl.com
4:20- 5:20 Left on Red www.leftonredmusic.com
5:20- 6:00 Samantha Margulies www.samanthamargulies.com
6:00- 7:00 SisterMonk www.sistermonk.com
Music Under New York's DIVAS UNDERGROUND March 17, 2011
I was able to catch a few of the other women artists of MUNY, Samantha Margulies, Natalie Gelman and Martine Bruno to share with you.
2012 Diva's Underground March 29th
March 29, 12noon-7pm 14 Street/Union Square
Union SQuare 14th Street subway station above N/R line will have a very exciting event of women performers of the Music Under NY program throughout the day. check out the line-up and come and support live music in public spaces:
* Divas Underground: In celebration of Women’s History Month, Music Under New York’s divas will perform a marathon concert with some dedications to the beloved divas Etta James, Amy Winehouse, and Whitney Houston, whom we have lost recently.
12:00-12:30 Wendy Sayvetz www.abacaproductions.com
12:30- 1:10 Arlethia www.arlethiagospel.com
1:10- 1:50 Lindsay Dragan www.Lindsaydragan.com www.Wearesunshowers.com
1:50- 2:20 Marcella Adame
2:20- 3:00 Heidi Kole http://www.thesubwaydiaries.com/
3:00- 3:40 Martine Bruno www.martinabruno.com
3:40- 4:20 Cathy Grier www.nycsubwaygirl.com
4:20- 5:20 Left on Red www.leftonredmusic.com
5:20- 6:00 Samantha Margulies www.samanthamargulies.com
6:00- 7:00 SisterMonk www.sistermonk.com
DIVAS 2011
Samantha Margulies Music Under New York performer (Opera, Broadway + Pop singer).
Divas 2010
Music Under New York Auditions application deadline
If you know of anyone interested in trying out for a coveted Music Under New York banner, the annual MUNY auditions will be held in May.
All applications must be in by March 19th.
And as a spectator, if you ever want a really wonderful NY experience I urge you to go to Grand Central Station May 16th for the annual auditions.
Don't forget to tell a street/subway performer how much you appreciate their presence underground!
2012 MUNY audition applications
MUNY audition applications must be in by March 19th
The Music Under New York annual auditions are coming up soon. If you are a musician and are interested you still have time to get your application in.
And as a commuter, if you ever want a really wonderful NY experience I urge you to go to Grand Central Station this Spring for the annual Music Under NY auditions. I'll be posting the exact date once I know it.
Don't forget to tell a street/subway performer how much you appreciate their presence underground!
subway documentary, my early years
In the category of nothing is ever lost in the age of YouTube, I recently discovered this trailer from documentary film maker Jason Scianno, entitled Legends Of The Underground. I am featured along with many other subway performers I've known over the years and luckily whom are still performing. Filmed between 1999 and 2001. It captures the beginning of my performing with the Music Under NY program. Not sure when or if this film will ever be distributed, but Jason does a great job of capturing the essence of street performing.
Newbies of MUNY announced
Here's a reprint from WNYC's Music Hub
MTA Announces Next Class of Subway Buskers
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
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The Lost and Wandering Blues Band are one of the acts chosen to join the Music Under New York program (Marlon Bishop/WNYC)
Coming soon to a subway station near you: a Japanese mandolin player playing Italian classics, Baroque harp music, and a full blown Afro-jazz group. They're just some of the 19 individuals and groups chosen by the MTA's Music Under New York (MUNY) program to join the roster of musicians officially sanctioned to perform underground.
Last week, 68 groups tried out for the program in front of a panel of judges culled from New York's cultural scene in an alcove of Grand Central Terminal. The new acts will join about 350 sanctioned groups already in the program. Although anybody can play in the subway legally, MUNY artists can display official banners, use amplification, and have dibs on some of the best and busiest spots underground.
Check out the list of the winning artists below -- or listen to what one of the winners, the Lost And Wandering Blues Band, sounded like at the MUNY auditions last week.
- Marcella Louise Adame (opera singer)
- Harold Allen (country singer)
- Brazilian Quarter (Brazilian & New Orleans music)
- Lindsay Dragan (singer songwriter and guitarist)
- Meta Joy Epstein (Baroque harpist)
- Erik Hegar (contemporary and classical harpist)
- Keizo Ishibashi (Italian mandolin player)
- Tom Larsen (guitarist and singer songwriter)
- Lost Wandering Blues & Jazz Band (swing band)
- Mike Lunapiena (cellist improvisation)
- Metro Brass Quintet (classical, pop, jazz)
- MetropoliTones (female a capella)
- Eric Reimers (classical & Argentinean guitarist)
- Ron Service (saxophonist)
- The Body Electric (Afro-beat jazz ensemble)
- The Connections (Motown, R&B duo)
- Threeds (Oboe trio)
- Matt Vorzimer (electro improvisation)
- Christopher Worth (contemporary & traditional singer)
Several of the artists chosen, including Tom Larsen and the Body Electric, are featured in the audition video below produced by the MUNY staff.
reprinted from Music Hub by Marlon Bishop WNYC Culture Producer
Salieu and I jam Union Square
Today was one of those days performing in the subway that I will cherish. I arrived at my scheduled location at Union Square to find Salieu Suso an amazing Kora player performing in the spot. We've always talked about performing together and so I said, "why don't we just share the gig?" To which he replied, "why not!"
I started to set up when Richard Allen a commuter came by to talk to me about singing at his wedding. His wife and daughter had seen me perform at Columbus Circle a few weeks ago. I think it's really cool that seeing my performances in the subway inspires someone to want my music for a wedding. I've done a few (actually singing for my cousins wedding this weekend, but I digress).
Salieu and I started by him joining in on my song Question Of Desire, which within the first few bars I adapted to his playing and rhythm. I had to tune up a 1/2 step to be in tune with his 21 strings, and believe me it's a lot easier to tune 6 strings with modern machine heads than tuning 21 strings that are tuned by pushing up a ring made from animal hides. The Kora is made from a large gourd and it's played in front of the musician with both hands not unlike a harp. It's from West Africa and Salieu sings songs as the storyteller in Africa it's called the "Griot" a common and much respected role in the village. So why would it be a stretch for a white girl playing and singing the blues jam with a black man playing the Kora? It's world music. The combining of styles. Anyway the blues came from Africa, nurtured in the US with Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker to name a few, then ironically discovered by groups like the Rolling Stones who truly gave those artists a chance to be appreciated in their own country. Such a long and windy road for the blues. There we were in Union Square. What a lovely sight to see people realizing what they were seeing and hearing.
Throughout the day I'd play a few songs and then Salieu would play a few songs, each time the other finding our groove and place within the others style. I'll tell you my wrist is tired from all the repetitive finger picking. Songs in the Griot style are long and use a lot of rhythm.
I'll be putting together a clip of our day and will add it here soon. In the meantime here's a picture.
Union Square where the current advertising is for the Lion King. what could be better than Salieu Suso a Kora player? photo by Richard Allen
2011 Music Under NY auditions
May 17, 2011. The annual Music Under New York (MUNY) auditions is such a wonderful event from every perspective. For the organizers and judges, it is a long day, but well worth the effort. For the performers, it's a chance to perform for some pretty wonderful judges chosen from the amazing cultural fabric that makes up NY. Of course there are always MUNY artists on hand as volunteers and as judges too. I have been a judge in the past and have found it an interesting role to play.
In this clip booking agent Gus Rodriguez comments how even though talented, not every performer is the right fit for the program, and so his judging needs to be extra careful in his notes for the MUNY directors who will have to read through all the judging notes and choose. Judge and Joe's Pub director Shanta Thake's inspiration is "Seeing people do what they love."
Music Under New York auditions 2011
I went to this years 2011 auditions held at Grand Central Station. It was fun just being a spectator instead of a judge as I have been in previous years. Many of this years judges were MUNY artists and seeing them outside of a performance setting is unique and fun-Jesse Selengut from Tin Pan, Sean Grissom the Cajun cellist, Kelly and Liah from Left on Red, Wendy Sayvetz, Irving Louis Lattin, and Floyd Lee.
Don't want to forget to mention the other MUNY artists on hand as volunteers to help the auditionees get checked in and setup. Natalia Paruz the Saw Lady, Angel Marin, and Nicola. It's always great to see Gina and Tim Higginbotham overseeing the event. It's a long day 9:30-3:30 with non-stop artists. There were some really great groups and solo artists. I was happy to see a few I've already seen perform in the subway without the MUNY banner, and hope they'll make the cut. Grand Central station is such an iconic place, hearing the voices and music resonate throughout the hall is quite an experience.
For anyone who missed the once a year opportunity to audition, there is always next May. Stay tuned.
Music Under New York auditions 2010
NYCSubwayGirl clip from the Music Under New York 2010 auditions where she was judge. Following Carl Kriss documantarian who was creating a film on NYC Subway Performers (entitled "Give and Take"). and with MUNY artist volunteers Meghan McGeary from Dagmar, Sean Grisson the Cajun Cellist, Jesse Selengut from Tin Pan, Irving Louis Latin, Natalia Paruz the Saw Lady, Juan Castillo from Andes Fusion, Angel Marin from Aqua Clara and MC Bob Helman.
Grand Central Station
2011 Auditions held May 17th in Grand Central Station
annual MUNY auditions
Not to be missed, for a truly unique NYC experience Music Under New York Annual Auditions
- Tuesday May 17th 9:30 am- 3:30 pm
It's such a wonderful event, stop by to take a listen to the approximately 65 artists who will be auditioning!
Grand Central Station Northeast Balcony, take escalators up from main terminal, you can't miss hearing it!
NYCSubwayGirl clip from the Music Under New York 2010 auditions where she was judge. Following Carl Kriss documantarian who was creating a film on NYC Subway Performers (entitled "Give and Take"). and with MUNY artist volunteers Meghan McGeary from Dagmar, Sean Grisson the Cajun Cellist, Jesse Selengut from Tin Pan, Irving Louis Latin, Natalia Paruz the Saw Lady, Juan Castillo from Andes Fusion, Angel Marin from Aqua Clara and MC Bob Helman.
Grand Central Station
Singing For NYCSubwayGirl
The Chosen Voices a fantastic Doo-Wop group, waiting for the uptown 1 at Columbus Circle 59th street, gave NYCSubwayGirl a special performance. They usually perform in the cars. I've followed them as long as I can remember. They brighten my day.
About a year ago they pushed a flasher off a car who was sitting right next to me. I was oblivious because I was watching the guys sing, but as they got closer they stopped smiling and I thought, that's odd. Then they yelled at the guy and so I turned to see what the fuss was about, luckily we were already at a stop and they shoved him out yelling, "that's disgusting." Before the group came by and disrupted the scene, no one else had said a thing. And I wondered why when I got on the car people looked at me strange-because I sat down right next to the guy. And that's NY folks.
City of Angels
The other day I was hoofing my subway gig stuff up a set of stairs at 35th st and a woman asked if she could be of help. It's a rare request, maybe because I look like I know what I'm doing, but even the gesture to ask is welcome. This warm hearted woman lifted up the back end of my cart and up we went lighter than usual, in spirit and in physical strain. We chatted briefly about how hard it is to get around with anything of weight in this city. I am always in awe of people (mostly women) carrying precious children in strollers around the archaic and underdeveloped access into our mass transit system.
Thank you my subway angel.
Yesterday while traveling to Columbus Circle I met lovely people from San Francisco needing directions to the Central Park carousel. We struck up a conversation on the B train to Columbus Circle. Recently I watched a clip by Luke Rudowski (wearechange.org) who decided to talk on a subway car with people he chose arbitrarily, because in his words, "nobody ever talks to each other, no eye contact, no interaction, no humanity." He wanted to prove himself wrong. Maybe it was with his experience fresh in my mind that I was comfortable to chat across the car. I knew people were listening. We all do, we just don't appear to be tuning in. We protect, we insulate. Hey it was a nice conversation that was sparked by a girl with a guitar on a shoulder lugging a roll-y bag and nice people wanting to find a NYC treasure.
A subway performer sees the best of people, the smiles, the spontaneous conversations, unlike in a subway car filled with strangers trying to get where they are going with the least resistance. By adding music and a live performer, the resistance is broken down, it's a common denominator, it's safe, no one gets hurt, there's nothing to do if you don't like it but to move your feet away.