Inspiration from Raices Group:Sound of the Andes

Jachamallku is the founder of the Raices Group (Raices means "Roots" in Spanish), a pan-Andean music project that formed out of the "desire to express their nostalgia and feelings of longing for their respective homelands."His inspiration? Contact with God. He sends energy, people catch it, and send it back. For the Raices Group performing in the subway is not a concert, but a spiritual ceremony– an opportunity to tell the people of New York who they are.

edited by Dan Kleederman

Richie Kaye's Music and Mirth

Richie Kaye and Tony Lavorgna came to play after my set in the Graybar corridor of Grand Central and we chatted about their inspirations. Paul stopped to listen as he was leaving his shift working in the Graybar building, and he shared how Richie and Tony's music inspires him. A sound which can bring you right back to another time and place.

edited by Dan Kleederman

Janine Inspiration Falun Dafa

I met Janine in Graybar corridor of Grand Central Station with Trisha, they are both in the US from Australia to share and practice the work of Falun Dafa.  After chatting with Janine I realized that I happened to pass them one evening in Madison Square Park as they sat with others in a circle practicing this spiritual discipline of meditation, it was a lovely peaceful experience to witness.

What inspires Janine?  "Falun Dafa…to tell people about Falun Dafa because it helps people to cultivate their hearts, come back to their true selves and beautiful thing about it, is to think of others… to be truthful and to have kindness, compassion and tolerance."

 

Jessie guest performer Grand Central

Jessie and her father Mike stopped by Graybar corridor to listen, we chatted about guitars and then I asked if one of them played the guitar, come to find out Jessie is the guitarist and I prodded her to play. Under the amazing limestone vaulted ceiling in the Graybar corridor in the Grand Central terminal she sang "Hallelujah." The best free concert hall in NYC.

What Inspires Jessie? "channel and feel emotion...every day life…..pour into voice and music."

Shanta Thake inspired 2011 MUNY judge

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. 

What inspires judge and Joe's Pub director Shanta Thake's "Seeing people do what they love."

Lindsay Dragan 2011 MUNY audition

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. 

Here's a clip of Lindsay who's audition performing her song "Next Step," earned her a spot in the coveted MUNY program.  Welcome aboard Lindsay. 

What Inspires Lindsay? "Everything…..looking inside and outside myself."