Is the city getting you down? Go no further than this video, showing a ukelele player spontaneously collaborating with a percussionist on the subway. The person who uploaded the footage says these two musicians never met each other before this moment (as noted by another person in the video). Try to push back that cynical side that tells you they're just scamming us for tips, and watch: more ›

The NYPD says it's investigating the rough arrest of a 64-year-old man for playing a fiddle in Chinatown's Columbus Park last month; you may recall the YouTube video showing an angry crowd of senior citizens surrounding mace-wielding cops as they handcuffed the bloodied musician, who appears to have resisted arrest. The incident occurred when officers took action on a rarely enforced rule against amplification in the park, where for years a group of senior citizens have gathered to sing songs and make music. The crackdown has outraged many of the park regulars, but some locals say they're glad the music died. more ›

Jimmy Lee Lindsey, the Memphis-based indie punk musician who was better known as Jay Reatard, was found dead early this morning at his home. He was 29 years old. His record label, Goner Records, confirmed the death on their website. Matador Records wrote: "We are devastated by the death of Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., aka Jay Reatard. Jay was as full of life as anyone we've ever met, and responsible for so many memorable moments as a person and artist. We're honored to have known and worked with him, and we will miss him terribly." Reatard released many albums over the last decade with various bands, and four well-received solo albums, including last years "Watch Me Fall." Concert promoter Todd P twittered: "You were talented & troubled & both a great influence and a negative influence on a lot of people. you should not be dead." more ›

Anecdotal evidence suggests that transit police have been cracking down on musicians and other performers busking in the subway system—even though the MTA's own rules permit low-volume performance under certain conditions. A number of musicians and a busker advocacy group tell amNY that "police harassment has grown to disturbing levels in recent months." more ›

Yesterday, the citywide project Make Music New York came together on different street corners and in unusual venues around town. Chances are if you were out, you ran into a performance of some type... like this glockenspiel jam session at East 97th Street. What did you see? more ›

Have you seen this costumed troupe of musicians playing '20s ragtime around town lately? The Xylopholks don furry animal gear during their unofficial gigs underground, their outfits range from Cookie Monster to a pink gorilla. This Friday catch them at Rockwood Music Hall, and if you're lucky you'll see them on your commute sometime as well—they just received a permit to (legally) play. more ›

W Magazine has a feature on the famous spawn of celebrity, currently rocking out in the dim spotlights of downtown clubs. Amongst them are CBS CEO Les Moonves's son (Chief), Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbin's son (The Tangents), Michael Keaton's son (The Hatch), Jann Wenner's son (The Ellis Unit), Ellen Barkin and Gabriel Byrne's son (also in the Ellis Unit), and...you get the picture. more ›

Today, more than 50 musicians and musical acts gathered on the northeast balcony of Grand Central Terminal to audition for spots in NYC Transit's Music Under New York program. MUNY grants buskers spots in subway stations to entertain commuters and make a little cash in the process. more ›