During the great depression, all manner of people found themselves out of work, even those who had formerly been acclaimed musicians. The man in the photo, Nicholas Oeconamacos, had been a member of the Seattle Orchestra as well as several other successful musical groups. When the great depression struck, Nicholas returned to seattle and began to play for change on the sides of streets. This photograph was taken during the Hoover administration, before Roosevelt took power and so musicians like Oeconamacos were forced into such humiliating positions. This piece can be seen as a representation of just how much the depression affected the nation and how even the successful and talented were not safe from it.
CLARINETIST PLAYING FOR CHANGE
Picture of Clarinetist, Seattle PI (1931)