NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The MTA relaunched its Music Under New York program on Friday, bringing back a staple of New York — performances in subway stations.
Internationally-known cellist Sean Grissom, who is known as the Cajun Cellist, set up shop at the 28th Street stop on the 6 line.
He hasn't played in the subways since last year and was happy to be back after a long 14 months.
"The thing about it is, you get the energy of people coming in New York, coming in the subway not expecting to hear music or entertainment, so they're just as appreciative and happy as in a club," he said. "The whole point of playing down here is to have the opportunity and to maximize people coming by."
For musicians, even the ones like Grissom who have been playing for decades, the exposure brought by playing in the subway system is unmatched.
"I feel if I'm ever too good or too proud to come out here and do this, I don't want to play anymore," Grissom said.
The MTA hopes to have at least 200 active performances at any given time.
The program, under normal times, was responsible for over 12,000 performances a year in subway stations.
The return of the program is another big sign that the city is coming back to life.
"The thing about New York, it will always come back, because it has the subway which is the artery of the system. I think New York survives everything because this is what moves people around," Grissom said.