The Show Must Go On: Buskers In the Wake of the Pandemic
This was my master’s project at Columbia Journalism School. During the summer of 2021, as New York City tried to return to normalcy, I followed several buskers (or street musicians) to see how they were getting back to work one year into the pandemic.
Andrew Kalleen pushes their stand-up piano on a dolly through Washington Square park. They lug their piano to and from their apartment every day to play in the park.
20-year-old Brian Steve Lopez sings in Times Square at night. He prefers performing in the subways because street crowds can get distracted by other performers.
Gfunkman Francis plays in the 42nd Street subway station. Francis played throughout the pandemic and continues to do so – this time with a mask. He says it doesn’t impact his singing.
Pedestrians walk past Brother Jimmy’s set. His Sunday shift didn’t go as well as he wanted it to.
Luiz Simas plays in Bryant Park’s Piano series. He praises the program as a great opportunity to bring live music to the streets in a safe manner.
Jimmy Tambores passionately plays the drums.
Sasha Chernyak plays electric guitar outside of Penn Station. “Loss of family going through emotional pain. Support NYC Live Music” his sign reads.
A saxophonist plays in Times Square late at night. He continued playing until after midnight.
Jimmy Tambores sets up his drum kit in Washington Square Park, ready to play a short set for the afternoon.
Head of The Eyal Vilner Big Band, Eyal Vilner, warms up before his next song.
A man plays “Stand By Me” on the guitar at the 42nd Street station.
Brother Jimmy, a 59-year-old Christin singer sings “Hallelujah” in Times Square on a Saturday night.
Jean, a 46-year-old unhoused man, plays the trumpet on the corner of 40th and 7th for money. Jean says he lives with schizophrenia and finds performing relaxing.