Musicians

A Blog of Passionate New Yorkers Being Resourceful While Still Having Fun

Jessica's Street Performers

SepTue 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Ormando Challenger

What’s his deal: Plays the alto saxophone
Why he’s cool: What’s not to love about a man and his sax?
Where to find him: Playing in Union Square

Brief history on the saxophone: Alto saxophone history begins in 1840 with the Belgian, Adolphe Sax, who invented the musical instrument in that year. Sax was a music student at the Brussels Conservatory. He played the clarinet and the flute and studied instrument making from his father. In fact, his father had a part in designing the rotary valves used on trumpets and other brass instruments.

Sax thought his “saxhorn” would combine the elements of a brass instrument with a woodwind, and thus work well in orchestras and military bands, and it does. Popular musicians, however, have made it best known for use in jazz and other popular styles.

Watch as he plays “In A Sentimental Mood” by Duke Ellington...

Tags: Musicians, Jessica

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performers

AugTue 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Morgan O’Kane

What’s his deal: A vocalist with a kick pedal and a banjo
Why he’s cool: Morgan debuted a full-length recording called “Nine Lives”
Where to find him: http://www.myspace.com, http://facebook.com

A capable one man band, Morgan is often accompanied around the globe by a revolving door of inspirational musicians such as fiddle player Ferd Moyse of the Hackensaw boys, Dobro player Ezekiel Healy, Banjo "ninja" Philip Roebuck, singer/songwriters Domino Kirke, Zack Orion, and cellist Ben Sollee.

Tags: Jessica, Street Performers, Musicians

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performers

AugMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Michael Shulman

What’s his deal: Plays electric violin
Why he’s cool: Has a great project called “Paganini XXI Century" solo project
Where to find him: http://www.blackviolin.com/

The all-instrumental "Paganini XXI Century" is dedicated to showcasing my playing style and the technical aspects of it while also giving me an opportunity to fully express my emotions. Based in the tradition of both classical music and rock, it offers to a listener a rare glimpse into the progress the violin can achieve as an instrument by going along with the advancements of the modern era.

Watch “Night of the Slunk” (filmed by David J. Rathbon)

Tags: Jessica, Musicians

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performers - Part 2

MayMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Megan Faye

Her Thing: Violinist
Cool Fact: She began violin lessons at the age of 7 and was sent to study with Michael Davis at the age of 13.
Cool Fact #2: Megan has collaborated with VulpesVulpes, The Winston Jazz Routine and Perhapsy.
Where we found her: Union Square
Where to find her: myspace.com/meganfayeviolin

Tags: Jessica, Musicians

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performers

AprMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Jason W. Cordero

His Sound: Pianist
Cool fact #1: Self-proclaimed World’s Happiest Boy
Where we found them: Union Square Subway
Contact: thepowerofthehands@yahoo.com

Tags: Jessica, Musicians

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performers

AprMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Battle of the Boroughs

Where: The Greene Space
MC’d by: Radio host Terrance McKnight

Battle of the Boroughs is a showdown series designed to bring out the best undiscovered bands and ensembles of all genres in the five boroughs. Artists initially selected by WNYC judges, performed this past Friday to stay in the competition to represent Manhattan.

One of our absolute favorites Cathy Grier, aka NYC Subway Girl, was selected as one of the artists to compete (and seem to be the only subway performer). If she’s selected as one of the top five, she will move on to the next round. Ultimately, top performers from each borough will compete and one final artist will be selected for a solo gig at The Greene Space this Summer.

Cathy Grier has quickly become a good friend of ours and we were thrilled when she invited us to this event. If her performance we recorded below doesn’t blow you away, then I don’t know what will.

UPDATE from Cathy Grier: “I’m thrilled to share that I've made it to the next round of WNYC's Battle Of The Boroughs with 4 other finalists. The Friday night event was great fun with 9 other groups of talented musicians and a fantastic audience.”

Voting is now up to the internet audience. If you want to go directly to vote for Cathy Grier,
aka NYC Subway Girl, go to this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R2YVBSQ.

Tags: Jessica, Musicians

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performers Series

MarMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Bradley, Voorhees & Day

Their Sound: String Band
Cool fact #1: Influences include Uncle Dave Macon, The Carter Family, Missippi Sheiks.
Cool fact #2: They play old songs, imitations and variations.
Where we found them: Washington Square Park.
Contact: www.myspace.com/thebvds

Tags: Jessica, Musicians, Street Performers

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performers Series

MarMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Heidi Kole

Heidi, originally from DC, often described as a Renaissance woman, is a singer/songwriter, actress, dancer and voiceover artist.

1. Why we think she’s cool: Just released her book, The Subway Diaries.
1. Cool fact #1: Influences include Bill Withers, Eva Cassidy & Don Henley.
3. Cool fact #2: She’s also a stunt person for film/TV.
4. Where we found her: Union Square.
5. Contact: www.twitter.com/heidikole
www.thesubwaydiaries.com
www.bohemiantherapypublishing.com

Listen to her perform Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan

Tags: Jessica, Musicians

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performer's Series

MarMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

10857_1209291270104_1163397429_30607366_7497974_n

Cathy Grier

1. Her sound: Folked Up Blues
2. How long has she been around: Has participated in MTA's "Music Under New York" program for 10 years.
3. Why she's different: Co-founded Synergy Records in 1980 as one of the few female-headed independent record companies of its time.
4. Fun fact: Sang with a 14-piece band in the Paris Opera at the Hermes/Rostropovich wedding.
5. Where to find her: Favorite venues are underground in the subway stations, which inspired her blog/website, nycsubwaygirl.com

As this week is our 20th issue, I wanted to have someone really special. I started to go through some of the past musicians we’ve featured, and one of my absolute favorites is Cathy Grier. She’s got energy like nobody else and always “brings it.” As you will see in the video below, she’s a great supporter of her fellow musicians. Not to mention, she’s been a cool supporter of The Five Outsiders. So once again, I present to you Cathy Grier!

Grand Central Mezzanine Jam - nycsubwaygirl

video is courtesy of Cathy Grier at nysubwaygirl.com

Tags: Jessica, Musicians

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performer's Series - Thalys Peterson

FebMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Things to know about Thalys Peterson

1. What’s his deal: He’s a Brazilian guitar player
2. Cool Fact: Has been playing since he was 12 years old.
3. Cool Fact #2: Moved from Curichiba, Brazil almost two years ago.
4. Cool Fact #3: He’ll do weddings, events & parties.
5. Where to find him: caught him at Union Square Station.
6. Contact: thalyspeterson@hotmail.com

Tags: Jessica, Musicians

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performer's Series - Peter Joseph Paul

FebMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

4244_89797656743_89796746743_2349297_7183850_n

Things to know about Peter Joseph Paul

1. What’s his deal: He’s a high-tech one man band!
2. Cool Fact: He’s a multi-instrumentalist who plays full and complex drumbeats with his feet while playing acoustic guitar and singing, all at the same time.
3. Cool Fact #2: Peter is a serious, prolific songwriter and writes an average of 400 songs annually, complete with full arrangements, lyrics and music.
4. Cool Fact #3: His setup consists of four bass drum pedals, four electronic drum triggers using 24 bit real time drum, percussion, and musical instrument sound samples available in his drum computer.
5. Where to find him: 42nd Street Station, Time Square

Check him out as he jams to “Hey Jude”.

Tags: Jessica, Musicians, Street Performers

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performer's Series - Will & Becky

JanSat 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Things to know about Will & Becky

1. What’s their deal: A guitar and violin duo that plays pop music; everything from Duke Ellington to Michael Jackson
2. Why they’re cool: They met in private school when they were just 13 years old.
3. Cool Fact #2: Reconnected at their high school reunion and have been dating for a year now and performing as a duo for only a few months.

Check out this medley of "In a Sentimental Mood" and "When I'm Sixty-four"

Tags: Jessica, Street Performers, Musicians

0 Comments

Jessica's Street Performers - Sean Grissom

JanMon 2010 Filed in: Jessica's Street Performers

Things to know about Sean Grissom

1. What’s his deal: He’s "the Cajun Cellist"
2. Why he’s cool: He designed and made his own electric cello.
3. Cool Fact #2: A trained teacher of the Suzuki approach
4. Cool Fact #3: Hosts an annual "Holiday Vaudeville" show on the Millenium Stage at The Kennedy Center.
3. Where to find him: In and around the New York subways. You can also check this video out on Youtube.