#mtamusic

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#MTAMusic is full of surprises for subway riders! #MTAMusic performer Augie Bello was playing “You’re Beautiful” at 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal station earlier this week when James Blunt happened by and joined him in song.

Look out for #MTAMusic live performances on your daily commute, and discover more about the Music Under New York program on our website!

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Last week’s #MTAMusic Auditions were a blast! Approximately 45 performers took the stage at Grand Central Madison, and we are excited to announce that 24 of them have been added to the Music Under New York roster. Illustrations by Joan Chiverton capture the energy of the auditions and each musician’s style. Congratulations to the new additions:

Afro Dominicano – Latin fusion band

Augie Bello – saxophone

Brass Queens – female brass band

Petro Drozda aka GooD MooD – accordion

Antonio Figueiredo da Silva aka Tony Boka – jazz guitar

Roy Futaba Jazz – jazz trio

Jerald Graham aka FlyBayJay – R&B singer

Rorie Kelly – vocals, keys, guitar, beatboxing, looping

Davide Laura – violin looping

Corcel Magico – folk rock band

Gabriel Mayers – singer-songwriter

Von Middleton – entertainer

Jeremiah Moore aka Jem Bleu – R&B, pop, singer-songwriter

Alejo Portela – Vallenato accordion

Sean Rosenberry – Irish & folk fiddle

Raphael Batista Silva aka Raphael Batista – violin

Edgar Suarez – salsa & merengue vocalist

Subterranean Jazz – jazz band

Triad Brass – brass band

Villagers Brass Band – brass band

Devon Webster aka Maestro Kaiso – violin

Denise Weeks – gospel & soul singer

Samoa Wilson aka Fatboy Wilson – folk & blues singer

Mehmet Akif Yuksel aka YoSoyAkif – violin

[mtaartsdesign]

Announcing the 2023 season of #BroadwayRhythm, the Garment District Alliance’s free summer concert series featuring #MTAMusic performances every Wednesday noon-2pm from today through September 27 on Broadway between 39th and 40th streets.

Photo: Dingonek Street Band

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Calling all musicians! Music Under New York (MTA MUSIC) is adding new performers to the roster. Submit your performance samples at the link in bio before the deadline of March 1 for an opportunity to perform at the live audition held in late spring.

Pictured: Troy Weekes at the 2019 audition

[mtaartsdesign]

#BroadwayRhythm is a summer concert series featuring a different musical performance every #Wednesday, from June 1 through Aug 31, Noon-2pm, on Broadway between 39th and 40th streets in the #GarmentDistrict. Presented by @garmentdistrictnyc in partnership with @mtaartsdesign’s Music Under New York (MTA MUSIC), the lineup of popular #MTAMusic performers includes jazz, bluegrass, opera, pop and more.

#MTAMUSIC #MTAarts #music

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We join The Ebony Hillbillies​, long-time members of the #MusicUnderNewYork family, in mourning the passing of beloved, "rebel soldier" Norris Washington Bennett. His unique playing of the claw hammer styled 5-string banjo and the mountain dulcimer, along with his soulful singing, helped to share America's bluegrass legacy with audiences all over the world. Norris and The Ebony Hillbillies have played with #MTAMusic for many years, bringing countless hours of music into stations and to the delight of riders. #MTAArts sends condolences to Norris' family, friends, fellow members of Ebony Hillbillies, and his audience of millions who will miss his talent and spirit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRWhjwgoiC4&feature=youtu.be

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Don Witter, Jr., a dedicated #MusicUnderNewYork member for over two decades, will be greatly missed. Trained as a classical pianist in the Bronx from the age of four, Don debuted at Carnegie Recital Hall at five years old and after developing a passion for classical guitar at the age of seven, he performed guitar throughout New York City and returned to perform at the Weil Recital Hall 45 years later. A native New Yorker and graduate of the High School of Music and Art, Don was a beloved part of #MTAMusic and was passionate about sharing his sensitive and spirited music with people who would not normally have access to a classical guitar concert. A proud judge at the annual Music Under New York Auditions, Don valued connecting to people though music. Over the years, Don performed at many events and well-known venues throughout the city and produced CDs, wrote sheet music, web and magazine stories and participated as the subject of documentaries. #MTAArts sends condolences to Don’s family, friends, fellow musicians, and his audience of millions who will miss him and his musical gift that he shared with us all.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mMhtJKVw8_M

[mtaartsdesign]

As musicians #StayAtHome, their talent continues to inspire us. #MusicUnderNewYork clarinetist Larry Seltzer from @utopiawinds participated in a Socially Distant Orchestra, bringing together musicians from all over the country to perform Dvořák's "New World”, in a video titled "Stayin' Home" (https://bit.ly/2LeWG29). Music Under New York singer @nessadove wrote a new uplifting song "Stay Strong" (https://bit.ly/2SOxYtB) with collaborators @nikmoody_ and @kengwira as a tribute to those on the frontlines.