Street Performers: Playing for Free,

‘STREET PERFORMERS: PLAYING FOR FREE,’ soon to be a photography monograph, is a collection of gritty, b&w photographs taken in the streets and parks of New York City during the 1970's.  This was an engaging and uplifting time when the City was alive with music, magic, dance and celebration all interwoven in harmony with each day as they came to be.  Playing for nickels, dimes, quarters and dollar bills, there were performances noon through night, largely overlooked by the local police. The variety of genres and neighborhoods documented is matchless in America. These public showmen and women all performed before audiences of city residents and tourists in a hustle-bustle metropolis.  Professional recognition was the ultimate reward. The money collected by these street artists was an important contribution to their daily expenses, though rarely enough for a living. Some of the brightest stars in entertainment claim ownership of the street including Robin Williams, Joan Baez, Paul Simon, Louis Armstrong, Adam Sandler, Norah Jones, Pete Seeger and Dolly Parton among others. The song ‘For Free’ was written by Joni Mitchell in 1969. Its incomparable music and lyrics were an inspiration to this, a poetic visualization of Street Performers. The pairing is captivating. “In New York, the street adventures are incredible. There are a thousand stories in a single block. You see the stories in the people's faces. You hear the songs immediately…” -JONI MITCHELL, Singer/Songwriter Bob Zahn current email address bobzahn1949@icloud.com