Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for Spontaneous Sharing in The Underground.

I am filled with joyful and warm memories from The Underground as we approach Thanksgiving through this wet and snowy day. Without fail, each time I venture out to one of my busking gigs, I meet someone who fills me with inspiration and happiness. Asking them "What Inspires You?" is often on the tail of a spontaneous and inspirational interaction that we have just shared. Such was the case with Rose, a traveler I spotted in LIRR station with a mandolin case. It turned out she was up for a little jam session and broke out her mandolin for me as a crowd formed around us. It's hard to be a part of the spontaneous action and film the action, but no matter the frame, the composition is all there. Check her out below in a playlist of similar moments. I am so very thankful for moments like these and I carry you all in my heart as we remember to be grateful on Thanksgiving. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

NYC Subway Girl

Rose from BC jams on Mandolin with NYCSubwayGirl

Tailz inspired Dancer Freestyles Union Sq

SI Ferry Nicolas sings Timberlake That Girl

Moroccan Musician jams with NYCSubwayGirl

Vincent Denis 8 String guitar Inspired Penn Station jam

Gallery of clips co-edited by Ian James MacRae Jackson 

See more inspirations from my Inspiration Project and Video Gallery.  I have 100's of clips featuring the amazing people I meet.

Moon Hooch "Cave Music"

I love to share the music of other musicians whom I discover as I travel throughout the city.  Enjoy the sounds of Moon Hooch.

I discovered Moon Hooch playing outside at Columbus Circle. They play an amazing brand of house music with the uncharacteristic instrumentation of drums and two saxophones. They call it "Cave Music–It's like House, but its more wild, more jagged, more free, more natural to live in." Cool stuff!

intro words + music by C. Grier "Through My Eyes" singerfish publishing SESAC

edited by Dan Kleederman

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.

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