MUSICIANS ON THE STREET

Music is a very strong passion of mine. Had I not been affected by art design and photography, I would have chosen to develop my love for the piano, percussion and woodwinds. Musicians bring about another form of expression like fellow artists, dancers and writers. They are members of that elite worldly union of the creative arts. Just like other forms of art that are so crowded with wonderful and talented people, only so many musicians can fit into the limited chambers, concert halls, arenas, studios, recording labels and circuits of what we know for popular musicians. Few become successful enough to survive within the financial level of the mainstream.
In my daily adventures, I am able to experience at least one musician on the street wherever I go. These street musicians serve the public on some level and often make at least a part of their living by donations from people like me and you. One can certainly agree that there are a variety of levels of skill and the more experienced ones have worked out a fine niche for themselves. Some perform solo and some others, in pairs, trios, quartets and sometimes perform in a small band. Some do all of the above and sometimes more or less.
I sometimes wish that physicists, chemists, historians, biologists and philosophers could be recognized in public in the same way as these musicians.
I have taken on a pledge never to take a photograph of any street musician unless I am able to contribute money to their public forum. For many, it does not matter as you are not obligated and can enjoy or despise what you hear whether you contribute or not. Some bring their mates, some bring their pets, some live in semi-splendor and others appear to live on the street. They make their way like other people in all walks of life.
"Claremont Viol player" Berkeley, California " February 2012
"John Henry with Lyre" Berkeley, California " February 2012
"Lindell" Berkeley, California " February 2012
"Accordian on Shattuck Avenue" Berkeley, California " January 2012
"San Francisco Trumpet Player" San Francisco, California " January 2012
"Civic Center Accordian Player and dog" San Francisco, California " December 2011
"Harmonica Trio" Berkeley, California " December 2011
"Bugle player from Freds Burial" Dixon, California " September 2011
"Nancy on Banjo" Oakland, California " September 2011
"Rainbow Girls Band" Berkeley, California " September 2011
"Robert the accordianist" San Francisco, California " September 2011
"Campus Guitarist" Berkeley, California " September 2011
"Multi instrument player on street" San Francisco, California " May 2011
"Mariachi Band" Berkeley, California " June 2011
"Red Violin Player at BART" San Francisco, California " May 2011
"Nancy at Walnut Square Peet's" San Berkeley, California " May 2011
"Musician at the Alameda County Fair" Pleasanton, California " July 2011
"Multi instrument player on street" San Francisco, California " May 2011
"Ukelele Player on BART" Oakland, California " May 2011
"Musicians at the Berkeley Farmers Market" Berkeley, California "June 2011
"Musician at North Berkeley BART" Berkeley, California " May 2011
"Female guitarist" Berkeley, California " April 2011
"Lindell Reeves" Oakland, California " August 2011
"Ronald Brewington at Embarcadero Bart"
San Francisco, California " April 2011
"Solano Guitarist" Berkeley, California " April 2011
"Hare Krishna Street Musicians" Berkeley, California " April 2011
"Calvin Keys" Berkeley, California " March 2011
"Rockridge Bart Musician " Oakland, California April 2011
" Steel Guitar Player on Solano" Berkeley, California May 2011
"Zither Player in Chinatown " San Francisco, California March 2011
"Zither Player in Chinatown" San Francisco, California March 2011"
" Young Trumpet player on Union Square" San Francisco, California March 2011
" Solano Accordian Musician " March 2011
"Kalimba Man at the Solano Stroll " September 2009
" Las Vegas Street Musician" February 2011
"Berkeley Zydeko Musicians " February 2011
" Robert and his purple accordian " February 2011
"Fourth Street Musician " February 2011
" North African Musician with band " December 2010
"Berkeley Street Musician " January 2011
" The Homeless People Band" January 2011
" The Homeless People Band: Christa Larrama" January 2011
" The Homeless People Band: Chloe Behrens" January 2011
" The Homeless People Band: Robert Levin" January 2011
" Berkeley Musician Rick" California November 2010
" Accordian Player Robert" San Francisco, California November 2010
" Bulent with a Kunun "New York City" October 2010
" Berkeley Campus Musician "Berkeley" November 2010
" Robert on Accordian at Civic Center "San Francisco, California 2010

" Robert on Accordian at Civic Center "San Francisco, California 2010

Nancy on the banjo, Berkeley, California 2010

Nancy on the banjo, Berkeley, California 2008
"Civic Center Harpist" 2010
"Fourth Street Folk Singer" 2010
"Berkeley Accordian" 2010
"New York Subway Accordian" 2010
Copyright Raymond Holbert 2010: Use of these images and or text is prohibited without permission from the author.

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