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.
MJ Flash Flash Mob Tribute What’s the deal: Here’s the Official NY Michael Jackson Tribute! Website: youtube Directed by: Louis De Cavnes and Dominiqe Filhol Playing Michael Jackson: Moses Harper Other Dancers: Nicholas D’Aurizio, Meita Harahap, Shariyf Clark and volunteers
Last Friday, June 25th, was the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s passing. What better way to celebrate this week’s NY street performers than with the official Michael Jackson Flash Mob Tribute. We think they did a brilliant job!
Xylopholks Their Thing: A furry group of musicians who play novelty ragtime music while wearing furry animal costumes. Website: http://www.myspace.com/xylopholks Where we found them: Union Square Contact: xylopholks@gmail.com What’s not to love about a group whose wish is to make people happy and perhaps even dance?
Voguing with Benny Ninja His Thing: Voguing like nobody’s business Cool Fact: He’s the father of the House of Ninja, a post given to him by the late Willi Ninja of Paris is Burning fame. Cool Fact #2: He also appeared as coach and judge on America’s Next Top model. Where we found them: Union Square
Roger G - Unique Force Their Thing: Performance Artist Cool Fact: Roger G has appeared & performed with Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder & Lionel Richie. Cool Fact #2: Was in Michael Jackson’s Bad Video & Jay Z’s 99 Problems. Where we found them: Union Square Where you can find them:http://www.myspace.com/uniqueforce Video: youtube
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Roger G is a man of many talents - from rap to hip-hop to mime to native Australian dance, musical production and dance skating.
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
Heth & Jed 1.Their sound:These brothers transform public spaces into sound labs. 2. How do they do it: They use live looping and an array of effects to explore sonic textures. 3.Cool Fact: They spent most of their youth stuck backstage at the Hollywood Bowl listening to their classical flute-playing father rip it up with the L.A. Philharmonic. 4.Cool Fact #2: The boys were also featured in the forthcoming Documentary film, Playing For Keeps (2010). 5.Where to find them:hethandjed.com
Plays the acoustic piano IN THE SUBWAY!!!!-(the inside of my chest lept into my throat while listening. for me it was the most magical subway experience I've had in NY.)
1. What’s his deal: Pianist-Rock Star-World's Happiest Man 3. Cool Fact: He's the music director for the Joffrey Ballet School 4. Where to find him: caught him at West 4th Street Station 5. Contact: Thecrazypianouy@gmail.com Check out this great clip of him here: www.youtube.com
”As our world gets smaller and progresses at a very fast pace, we begin to lose our traditional values. Music can bridge the gaps oftime universally for all people. The fast pace, of time today shuts many doors on the past and the future. But by us looking back andahead we hope to enrich the present in the Andean Universe.” - The Raices Group
Things to know about The Raices Group
1. What’s his deal: In 1992, a group of talented musicians from Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador joined together with the desire to express their nostalgia andfeelings of longing for their respective homelands. And with this, Raices group was formed. 2. Cool Fact: They have performed inmedium and large concerts halls such as Avery Fisher Hall, Symphony Space Townhall and Carnegie Hall. 3. Where to find him: Union Square, For upcoming events check out their website: raicesgroup.com
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
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"
1. What’s their deal: He’s "the Cajun Cellist" 2. Why they’re cool: They’ve been performing in NYC and abroad for the past twenty years. The performance include breaking, popping, locking, hip-hop, reggae, gymnastics, and comedy. 3. Cool Fact #2: They’re willing to travel up to 300 miles out of New York to entertain you! 4. Where to find him: In and around the New York sreets. You can also check this video out on myspace.
1. What’s his deal: He’s an accomplished vibraphonist and percussion soloist. 2. Why he’s cool: He was the recipient of the 2000 American Music Center Margaret Fairbank Jory prize for his composition "Struggle in Microcosm", a quintet for mixed ensemble. 2. Cool Fact #2: He was featured in the movie, Adrift to Manhattan. 3. Where to find him: In and around the New York subways
1. What’s his deal: Plays the Tenor Saxophone 2. Why he’s cool: Regina Spektor chose him as her "Prez" on the Billie Holiday tribute recording titled, "Lady." [Begin to Hope (CD Sire)] 3. Where to find him: Along "The Mall" in Central Park.
Ralph was a much appreciated accompaniment to the crisp atmosphere in Central Park on Christmas day.
1. What’s their deal: Beatles and 60's music tribute band 2. Why they’re cool: They really draw a crowd. The subway riders really love them. 3. Where to find him: They play almost every weekend underground, often at Times Square Station. www.myspace.com/meetles
1. What’s their deal: Acapella soul singers! 2. Why they’re cool: Their harmonies are pure honey perfection. 3. Where to find him: Performing all over the city. Check out their performance of “My Girl” here on Youtube.
Members Include: Jesse Selengut - vocals/trumpet/guitar Clifton Hyde - vocals/guitars/producer Pete "Baby Hands" Maness - vocals/acoustic bass Stefan Zeniuk - saxaphones/clarinets
Dancers \ - George Yi and partner Akemi Kinukawa
5 things to know about Tin Pan Blues Band:
1. Their sound: American roots music featuring elements of jazz, blues, country and rock3. 2. Cool Fact: They've had television performances on The Today Show, NY1 and Fox News 3. Cool Fact #2: Clifton Hyde is a Mississippi native who has played with Lou Reed, Debbie Harry & The Blue Man Group 4. Where have they performed:Joe's Pub, Guggenheim Museum, Guests for Michael Bloomberg & Louis Armstrong House Museum. 5. Where can I find out about their music:tinpanbluesband.com & Online distribution with Itunes, CDbaby, Best Buy
1. What's the deal: Co-founder of NYC based percussion group Mecca Bodega with brother Marc Mueller 2. Paul's sound: Plays hammered Dulcimer, an ancient instrument from Persia that influenced the invention of the modern day piano. 3. Cool Fact: The brothers have composed for directors Spike Lee and Jonathan Demme 4. Where to see him perform:Mecca Bodega performs regularly at several local music festivals as well as underground at Tmes Square and Penn Station as part of the MTA Arts for Transit program. 5. Where can I find his music:Mp3 downloads available for purchase on-line at www.meccabodega.com
1. Originally from: Ecuador 2. His sound: Latin-spanish Fusion 3. Members: Jose Juan (wooden bongos) & Valeriy Zhmud (Violin) 4. He was selected by: Music Under New York - MTA's effort to promote quality music throughout the transit system. 5. Where to see him perform: Union Square & Time Square