C&T Publications Eye on Fine Art Photography - August 2014 | Page 18

Taking it to the Streets
by Cindy Ackley Nunn

One common form of entertainment that can be seen in many cities
all over the world is the street musician, sometimes referred to as
“buskers.” During the time I lived outside of the United States this
became a favorite sight of mine in England and Scotland, making any
visit to town a much nicer experience. Although some street
musicians were lacking in skills the majority were very talented, with
a true sense of showmanship to draw a crowd.
On any given day in Newcastle upon Tyne you could hear the sounds
of everything from contemporary pop to the more traditional Celtic
beat, and on some days, if you were really lucky, you would be
drawn to the town center by the mystical sounds of panpipes, flutes
and a charango guitar, and know that Chano, Eddy & Coco Puenta de
la Vega and David Vela, of Grupo Apu, were back, serenading the
town with the enchanting music of their native Peru. Fortunately
when I returned to the United States I brought one of their selfproduced music CDs with me. If you want to check them out just go
to the link below, or go to YouTube and type in Grupo Apu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FbORHOlJjY

Newcastle upon Tyne Buskers © Cindy Ackely Nunn

Many of the buskers you'll come across throughout Europe are
actually students of music at a local university, hoping to one day
become professionals in the field of music.

Another city renowned throughout the world for having some of the best
street musicians in the world is New Orleans, Louisiana, also known as
“The Big Easy.”
With roots running deep from its early beginnings in Congo Square in the
1830's, jazz and ragtime music has become an integral part of this
American city.
Some famous former or impromptu “buskers” are:
John Bon Jovi
Josephine Baker
Sting
Benjamin Franklin
Tracy Chapman
Rod Stewart
Bruce Springsteen
Loreena McKennitt
Peg Leg Sam

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Another busker in Newcastle upon Tyne. © Cindy Ackley Nunn