No Piano Clocks Up More Mileage Than This Busker'sby David McMahon
Terry Sansom is a street busker with a difference. Most buskers use instruments that are easily transported. Not Terry. He has a full-size piano with a “steering wheel” and he manoeuvres it into and out of the Bourke Street Mall every weekday – when he’s not playing at Docklands on weekends.
Come winter and he heads up north to warmer climes, but when Melbourne’s winter fades away, he returns to our beautiful city and graces us with his exuberant style of music.
If you’d like to see more images of Terry, as well as his shots of his unique piano and to read his poignant story, just visit this post on my blog. You’ll even be able to see his full regalia, including the eye-catching homemade cap with its huge feather, and his very memorable “tuxedo” as well. The post also contains a link to a YouTube clip of Terry in action.
I do not crop, enhance or post-edit my images in any way. Shot with a Pentax K100D, using a Sigma 18-125mm lens. F5.6, 1/60 sec, ISO 800, focal length 125mm.
Featured in THEME THURSDAY FEATURE FRIDAY, July 2011.
Wow.. what a tale you tell David!!! Good for him.. would love to hear the music this piano man plays!!!
He has a great story to tell, Ken. And his energetic style of music really had me mesmerised. It’s amazing to think he pushes this piano in and out every single day!
David, thank you for uploading this, I had a look at your blog and went to youtube and listened, he’s incredible, what a fantastic beautiful man he is, his character is written all over his face, and what a job to move that piano, now if councils had their heads screwed on right this guy could have a job and play his beautiful music to the hustling crows of the city, he is gorgeous. Lovely portrait of him also David, well done. and thank you again, I thoroughly enjoyed it :o)x
Thank you so much, Josie. I shot this in late May 2009, just before he moved north to escape Melbourne’s winter. You’re so right about councils and encouragement of people like Terry Sansom. His music and the vivacity with which he plays are such a key to a city like Melbourne. My very humble thanks to you ….
David it would be nice to post a journal on this guy……..
Great idea, Josie – I’ll wait until he returns to Melbourne in the warmer weather so that I can post information and images that are more up to date. His story is really very touching.
That would be great David, his story is touching and I feel sad that he live the way he does, but he’s probably happy, I’d love to see how he manages that piano……perhaps next time you can show us. Thanks for sharing this David, I’ll look forward to your next lot of photos when he comes back. ….Josie xo
Many thanks, Josie – I;m guessing he’ll be back here in October, so will keep you in the loop.
Comments
Wow.. what a tale you tell David!!!
Good for him.. would love to hear the music this piano man plays!!!
He has a great story to tell, Ken. And his energetic style of music really had me mesmerised. It’s amazing to think he pushes this piano in and out every single day!
– David McMahon
David, thank you for uploading this, I had a look at your blog and went to youtube and listened, he’s incredible, what a fantastic beautiful man he is, his character is written all over his face, and what a job to move that piano, now if councils had their heads screwed on right this guy could have a job and play his beautiful music to the hustling crows of the city, he is gorgeous. Lovely portrait of him also David, well done. and thank you again, I thoroughly enjoyed it :o)x
Thank you so much, Josie. I shot this in late May 2009, just before he moved north to escape Melbourne’s winter. You’re so right about councils and encouragement of people like Terry Sansom. His music and the vivacity with which he plays are such a key to a city like Melbourne. My very humble thanks to you ….
– David McMahon
David it would be nice to post a journal on this guy……..
Great idea, Josie – I’ll wait until he returns to Melbourne in the warmer weather so that I can post information and images that are more up to date. His story is really very touching.
– David McMahon
Incredible!! What a story!! I love this portrait,, well done!
Thank you, Linda – he really has a memorable face. And his music is amazing.
– David McMahon
What an amazing character! Love the story and the capture David.
Thanks, Jordan. From memory, he heads up to Brizzy in our winter – so you might be the next person to post a shot of him on RB!
– David McMahon
I’ll be asking around for him!
If you find him and post an image, please let me know!
– David McMahon
Indeed I will!
I know he plays in big malls – so that might help you narrow the search, Jordan. And he goes to Brizzy because of the weather. Good luck!!
– David McMahon
That would be great David, his story is touching and I feel sad that he live the way he does, but he’s probably happy, I’d love to see how he manages that piano……perhaps next time you can show us. Thanks for sharing this David, I’ll look forward to your next lot of photos when he comes back. ….Josie xo
Many thanks, Josie – I;m guessing he’ll be back here in October, so will keep you in the loop.
– David McMahon
A terrific portrait, David!
Many thanks, Betty – he’s a great subject with a very interesting story to tell!
– David McMahon
What fun! I shall certainly look at the blog etc when I am on a computer that will allow it :-D
He is a great subject, Ellis.
– David McMahon