I am always happy when people I know just happen to walk by me.. I was performing in Union SQuare when Jed Montgomery walked by with his best man Ben Campbell. (Last August, I had the wonderful experience of performing at Jed's wedding to another Ben, Ben Illany).
What inspires Jed? Sunshine and New York City!
I met Moroccan musician Hassan Ben Jaafer while I was performing in Union Square, he walked by and instantly took out his Krarbes (metal castanets) and began to play along. He then showed me the bass he made. Unfortunately the sound wasn't loud enough to share with you here. I posted an excerpt of his band Innove Gnawa when I came upon him later that week busking in 34th ST. station.
Keep You Out words and music Cathy Grier
co-edited by Ian James MacRae Jackson
I met Taliz (Israel Jules) dancing in my scheduled spot at Union Square, we had a chance to chat and I asked him my favorite question. I was especially happy when he danced while I played my song Jungle.
co-edited by Ian James MacRae Jackson
I met dancer Danny Madden (currently in Chicago on Broadway) as he walked through Union Square and stopped to listen. We chatted and so I got a chance to ask my favorite question.
What inspires Nathan? "Relationships between people, and our ability to really engage in them or not, so when you see people really engaging and expressing themselves I think that's art and that's inspiration."
What's Your Inspiration?
I met Tony at Union Square he filmed me for his website sawyouonthetrain.com I love that he is so inspired by subway musicians and helping others get a chance to hear us. Thanks Tony
What inspires Tony? "Success, the good in people." He was hit hard by super storm Sandy and experienced the goodness of the people who helped him out. he wants to give back, pay it forward.
What's your inspiration?
here's the clip Tony made of my song Comin' Back To Me
I met Carter at 54 Below when we both performed as part of Susie Mosher's Backstage show. I invited Carter to come and jam with me at my subway gig and she showed up with her friend Harper. It was fun sharing what it's like to perform in a very busy station.
What inspires Carter? "People, no matter where they come from, they're beautiful." and Harper? "women, nature, paintings, cinema."
here's a full version clip of
Carter's song St. Peter's song
What's your inspiration?
While playing in Union Square I met Courtney who stopped to listen. What inspires Courtney? "People, nature, strong women." Ely from Israel was also listening and joined in. He took the camera to film us singing Imagine. Ely wasn't sure what Inspiration meant. I pointed to his heart and said "what's in here." His response? "Peace, love and music." This is a wonderful example of the people I meet who by chance slow down and listen or just join in.
What's your inspiration?
I first met Ikeem of PoetrynMotionNYC, with his dancing buddy Shawn in Union Square on their way to their own busking gig. 2 months later our paths crossed again and he shared how he was inspired by my What's Your Inspiration?" project. I asked him how so and his reply "makes me wanna do what I'm doing differently than just dancing, just makes me think more, think bigger"
You can see Ikeem and Shawn's original What's Your Inspiration? clip as part of a post Hurricane Sandy blog with inspiration clips of other people I met in Union Square on the same inspirational day.
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I asked Sidney about her newfound love for the guitar. Her husband's father Millard Thomas, played guitar for Harry Belafonte, so as she said, maybe it is meant to be! She had such an inspirational, bright energy!
edited by Dan Kleederman
As Hurricane Sandy was barreling towards the NYC region. last Thursday I was performing in Grand Central Shuttle and Friday at Union Square in relative bliss unaware of the pending devastation. Those days couldn't have been more inspiring. In Union Square, it was an unusually full day of many people stopping to chat. I was interviewed by a film crew who found me for their webseries "Back of The Busk" we had a fun time.
Since we're all hurting from the devastating storm, I hope these Inspirations make you smile. We are resilient, we are strong and no matter what we are inspired.
Mithun Bhat inspiration Back of The Busk producer
Nick Capezzera Inspired Back Of The Busk cameraman and editor
Michael Inspiration Back of The Busk producer
Hardy Inspiration Back Of The Busk interviewer
Delpin Tardio Inspired Union Square Music Under New York guitarist
Ikeem + Shawn Unique Force dancers (now PoetrynMotionNYC)
Candy The Clown NYC
Joe from Brooklyn
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Kalli told me about her grandmother, Pauline Meisler, an iconic New York woman–the first female CFO at the Museum of Natural History!
edited by Dan Kleederman
I met Richard Allen at Union Square to talk about his wedding plans where I'll be singing and performing. Salieu Suso was set up to perform and we had an amazing day jamming together.
What Inspires Richard? Poetry, film, music and Isabelle of course!
what's your inspiration?
Terry filmed my songs Jungle and Comin' Back To Me while I was at Union SQ. We chatted about what he calls "Authentic Human Gesture," very compelling. "We're always unaware of how we might be impacting other people." His inspiration and a great NYC tip: "Tutuma Social Club" 56th St @ Lexington Ave where the afro-jazz Peruvian music is '"r-r-rockin."
Here's his clip of my song Jungle:
NYC Subway Girl films Dagmar at Union Square
Dagmar is Meghan McGeary and Jim Bauer
Meghan McGeary from the musical group Dagmar with Jim Bauer, (are part of the Music Under New York program), shares her inspiration (hint, it's Jim) with NYC Subway Girl @ Union Square
Documentary filmmakers Lauren and Alana share their inspiratio at Union Square.
