I remember reading Arthur Rhames' bio, which indicated that he played on the streets of Manhattan for several years, mostly in the Upper West Side area. Any other examples of musicians of note[no pun intended], who gigged in the streets when they were already known players?
What would attract a musician to play on a street/in the subway? Desire to be heard, want of funds, other "life's circumstances"?
Arthur Rhames in the early 1980s. Somewhere in the City.