Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  People/Portraits

Meet Jonny Hahn

November 5, 2011
Johnny Hahn

Pikes Market is known for it’s street musicians, buskers as they call them. Some are good and some need more practice. One of the better musicians is Jonny Hahn. He has been a fixture on the market since 1986. He rolls around his three-quarter-size, 64-key piano, playing 5 days a week on his street corner. He is now on his third piano, wearing out one of them and having one stolen. He plays in any weather, he just pulls out an umbrella. He also has recorded 11 CDs.

Working Hands

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku/poetry. Have a love for fountain pens.

12 Comments

  • Mark

    November 6, 2011 at 5:10 am

    Interesting Monte, do you know the story behind his fingertips? The photograph makes you wonder, is it a sign of one dedicated to practice and perfection, or one of age and wear, or both?

    • Paul

      November 6, 2011 at 5:46 am

      Mark I would imagine that that is a hell of a beating on the fingertips, playing 5 days per week! Talk about practice! 🙂

    • Monte Stevens

      November 7, 2011 at 5:18 am

      No, I do not know the story behind the Band-Aids. I did not have a change to talk with him as he was so intense with his playing. I stood there for about 5 minutes, moving all around him and he never looked up at me. I did some research on the internet to find out more about him and discovered a few images where he is playing with gloves on.

    • Monte Stevens

      November 7, 2011 at 5:20 am

      I felt the same way. Pranksters, who think it’s cute. Anyway, he does not let people know where he keeps it during the night. He does roll it out to the same corner each day. It seemed to me that the other buskers within the market have just turned that corner over to him. It’s his!

  • Anita Jesse

    November 7, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Johnny knows the meaning of dedication to one’s craft, doesn’t he? These are very nice and your stories are always so interesting. You make the life of the gypsy (thanks to your job) seem a wonderful adventure.

  • Earl

    November 7, 2011 at 9:20 am

    Such dedication but I have to wonder at what cost? Often great skills and talents come with great pain and sorry. Nicely captured, Monte, and a wonderful story.

  • Ken Bello

    November 7, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    There is no question this man is a great musician. He’s probably not interested in being rich or famous – just a good musician. We always seem surprised when we see guys like Johnny but the truth is that a lot of great people never get large scale recognition.
    Very nice shots, Monte.