Street Musicians

“Don’t pay them any attention they’re not artists, they’re just trying to get money”. My mother would always recite these cautions when passing a street musician on the CTA or the corner of a busy intersection. As a young child I would accept this message, and would never pay attention to the musical creations and renditions that were happening beside my everyday on my daily commute. Needless to say, payment for these money making mongrels wasn’t in my vocabulary.

One February morning during my regular CTA trip to my elementary school I saw a small and elderly Asian lady sitting on the platform bench adjacent to mine. From a down-trodden, dirty, worn-out black bag, she lifted a two pronged instrument. It was a cello with a small make-shift violin attached to the top. She began to play both of these instruments intermittingly, while regaling, through song, the pain of her childhood. The performance, though well written and well rehearsed, wasn’t the greatest musical creation. None of that mattered because the passion on her face, and the memories alive in her voice were real enough to chill one’s spine and awaken anyone’s compassion. It would be hyperbole to say it changed my life or my actions, but it definitely altered my perception of these courageous entertainers.

After that moment I would look at these street musicians with a greater intent and curiosity. It started with cello-violinist vocalists, and soon my curiosity spread to R&B/Dance groups, to spoken word poetry, to keyboard pianists, to one-mic rap performances, and to many other various assortments of musical talent. I began to realize that the fact that these artists were on streets and train stations did not inhibit their musical artistry but in fact heightened it. To combat the sounds of the city, while trying to deliver your message and perhaps make a small bank is more noble and courageous than most people (including my former self) realize. Disobeying my mothers warning, and anticipating the character of these unsung artists I began to slowly approach some these musicians to ask them their history and how they got interested in their particularly type of performance.

Through their responses and their artwork I started to understand that although some of these artists are simply desperate for a some temporary income, the majority of these individual’s first priority is to express themselves creatively, and pursue their passion; if only between the roars of passing trains. I compensated the lady that day, and to this day I make a small point to help those who are particularly heartfelt in the work. To those whom pour their passions to the half-listening commuters of the Chicago transportation system, you have my appreciation and good wishes.

Macken