Chicago: The Musical

Chicago: The Musical
The Street Musicians of Michigan Avenue

This photo essay celebrates a rich facet of downtown Chicago's character. From entrepreneurs to students, black to white, old to young, these performers transcend social, racial and age barriers to contribute to the tapestry of their city. Their collaboration provides a delightful treat for tourists and natives alike.

Joseph Taylor serenades passersby with oldies at the intersection of Michigan and Illinois Avenues. He has been playing the saxophone for as long as he can remember. "I picked [alto saxophone] back up about six years ago," he said. Taylor recently began his own pest control business, and his music "pays some of the bills I had to pay."

In his spare time, Taylor compiles a monthly newsletter, Holland Apartments News, for the residents of Roseland, an assisted living facility. "This month I want to start a new section featuring one resident every month to see what they do, and how they do it."

Lanceford Robbins drums at the south end of the Magnificent Mile "to beat out [his] adolescent frustration." Robbins is very proud of his college time spent at the Collective in New York. A recent resident of Chicago, Robbins displays a Star of David on his bass drum because he is "a Christian who supports the Jews. Plain and simple."

Chicago native Bobby McKay, 21, has been playing the drums since age 8. "I try to play here seven days a week," he said. Two hours of drumming on Michigan Ave. can earn him him $80 on an average day. "I really like rap," he said. "[In 10 years,] I want to produce."

"I do what I want to do," said alto saxophonist Traysee Leonard Thursday afternoon, pausing for a break at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Huron Street. A woman stops to compliment his "classy performance." The street musician brings his own speakers and accompanying CDs to enhance his sound. "Of course, there are bigger and better things I want to do, but at this moment, [performing here] is where I want to be."

Drummer Charles Bryor takes a moment to reflect in the sunshine outside the Wrigley Building on Michigan Avenue Thursday afternoon.

Street musicians in downtown Chicago must acquire a permit from the city in order to perform for money. The $100 permit is good for two years.