If you’re from the New York metro area or have visited there over the years then you’ve probably used the subway. Not only is the most practical and efficient public transportation system in the country, it’s also located in the most populous US city and so millions of people pass through the subway everyday.

It’s no wonder then that so many artists and musicians (both those who have flocked to New York as well as those native to the area) have chosen to perform and put their talents on display at subway stations throughout the city. It’s a great way to reach a much larger audience than many could reach otherwise, practice their craft and make a few bucks. There is a wide variety of musicians playing in the subway, some are professionals who are granted performing permits by the MTA, some are amateur artists hoping to get a big break, while others are poverty stricken individuals with some musical talent hoping to make some extra money just to make ends meet. The socioeconomic status of a performer is not indicative of their musical talent or playing ability, being said, it is quite rare to encounter a musical act in the subway that stops you in your tracks, but in August I did just that when I first heard The Ebony Hillbillies performing in the Times Square subway station.

The Ebony Hillbillies are an African American roots string band who combine jazz, folk, bluegrass, country and rockabilly to create their lively and feel good sound. It’s a sound that you don’t hear too often anymore, especially not in the heart of a Northern American city like New York. Perhaps if I came across The Ebony Hillbillies in Memphis I might have taken less notice but in Times Square I had to stop and listen. The band is made up of 5 members Norris Bennett on Banjo, Mountain Dulcimer, Guitar and Vocals; Henrique “Rique” Prince on Violin; William Salter on Acoustic Bass and Vocals; Newman Taylor Baker on the Washboard and Percussion; and Gloria Thomas Gassaway on the Bones and vocals. It’s straight down home music that you have to experience live to truly grasp. The Ebony Hillbillies have the rare ability to make you feel like you’re a part of the show and not just a lone spectator (maybe because you can stand as close to them as you’d like in the subway) and they play straight from the heart.

Although the band might seem like a group of down and out musicians who have nowhere else play but the subway they’re actually all quite accomplished for the most part and large crowds tend to gather around them when they’re playing. In fact, Bill Salters the band’s bass player won a Grammy in 1981 for Best R&B song after he co-wrote “Just the Two of Us” with Bill Withers and Ralph MacDonald. As a band The Ebony Hillbillies have also played a number of music festivals over the years and have performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the International Bluegrass Music Association.

You can catch The Ebony Hillbillies playing in the New York City subway at one of their usual spots: Times Square, Grand Central or 34th Street and 7th Ave.

Check out this video of them performing Bob Dylan’s “Buckets of Rain” with famed singer-songwriter Garland Jefferys and below that you can watch some recordings of their live performances.

Buckets of Rain – The Ebony Hillbillies & Garland Jefferys

High Roads & Railroads – The Ebony Hillbillies & Téada

The Ebony Hillbillies Live Outside Lincoln Center

To read more about The Ebony Hillbillies click on these links:

http://www.overlookednewyork.com/subway/images/ebony-hillbillies.html (Overlooked New York)

http://thegrio.com/2010/06/08/ebony-hillbillies-bring-down-home-sound-to-streets-stage/ (The Grio)

@EEMalyshev