To all who have never seen Perry (with or without his performance group
"Slant") work - you are missing something special !
Ronnie
> Hi Stav,
> I did research for a character role I created for a
> show called HIGH based on subway denizens of NYC. The
> character was, in fact, a shakuhachi busker in the subways.
> The show was basically a downtown experimental opera with
> three charaters playing on found objects such as cans and
> bottles along with the shakuhachi and drums.
> I had a lot of fun doing the research. The people who
> reponded did so with lots on enthusiasm,
> asking what the instrument was and where they could find
> CDs. I could see them trying to remember the name as they
> boarded the trains. Many times, the platforms were too noisy
> and the shakuhachi either could not be heard or was
> competing with other buskers.
> On numerous outtings, I met other musicians who wanted
> to jam so we ended up improvising since we never knew the
> same songs. My favorite was with a pair of Mexican twins
> who played classical guitars. I just improvised as they
> played and sang in Spanish. Another great jam was with a
> group of African djembe drummers. I had to pull out the 1.3
> and play mostly in kan to cut through the drums.
> The only time I made any money was a few days after
> 9-11. I went to the long connecting tunnel on the 42nd
> Street station. I always loved hearing other musicians play
> in that "tube". Once there, I lit a white candle and put
> out a sign that read "Think Peace". I pulled out a 2.4 that
> I made and played Amazing Grace. Within seconds, I heard a
> voice sing from the other end. That continued for the next
> couple of hours, strangers singing along to the verses. My
> bowl went to the Red Cross through my sister-in-law's
> matching donations program at her work. People from all
> walks of life gave. It was one of the most profound playing
> experience of my life.
>
> Best,
> Perry
>
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