What's Your Favorite Music?
by Adam Bonislawski
Our favorite road music depends an awful lot on which particular roads we’re on. For city driving, we’ll take early Serge Gainsbourg with a dash of Daft Punk; for country driving it’s Van Morrison and Arvo Pärt; for long road trips, we’ll take Foreigner, Foghat and, obviously, Bach (Sebastian!). Wait, is Foghat one word or two?
ANDREY
Where I hailed him: Chelsea
Where he hails from: Russia
Years as a cabbie: 16
Previous profession: Barber
I like older bands, like the Beatles. They are good for driving. Nice melodies, not too loud — it helps with staying relaxed while you drive. When I drive late at night, sometimes I will put on the classical station. That can be nice at night when it is quieter out. But you have to be careful with that or else you can get sleepy — especially driving around alone late.
JEAN
Where I hailed him: Lower East Side
Where he hails from: Haiti
Years as a cabbie: 7
Previous profession: Store Clerk
I like jazz. Jazz standards, like Ella Fitzgerald. Some of it isn’t so good for listening to when you drive, because of all the noise from the traffic — it drowns it out. Also talk radio shows — a lot of drivers listen to those — and the news, you hear where the bad traffic is, what roads are closed — that sort of thing.
ABDOUL
Where I hailed him: Midtown East
Where he hails from: Guinea
Years as a cabbie: 6
Previous profession: Hotel Clerk
Bob Marley. I love reggae music, and Bob Marley is the master. Rap’s good, too — I used to love Snoop Dogg and Tupac. Now, not as much, maybe. I like country music also. And African music. I like all music — I wish the radio was better in New York.
JUNIOR
Where I hailed him: LaGuardia
Where he hails from: Queens
Years as a cabbie: 4
Previous profession: Student
Bach. I bet you didn’t think I’d say that. I studied piano as a kid, and I worshipped Bach. I usually listen to him when I get off work. It helps with the stress of this job. My favorite piece? Probably the Mass in B Minor.
MIHAL
Where I hailed him: Murray Hill
Where he hails from: Bulgaria
Years as a cabbie: 3
Previous profession: Westchester livery driver
I listen to a wide range of music — from classical to techno. Right now my favorite musician is Tiësto. He’s really famous around the world. A few months ago, he was at Webster Hall, but I wasn’t able to see the show. I like European music a lot too. I’m really into Paul Mauriat this year.
ANDREY
Where I hailed him: Chelsea
Where he hails from: Russia
Years as a cabbie: 16
Previous profession: Barber
I like older bands, like the Beatles. They are good for driving. Nice melodies, not too loud — it helps with staying relaxed while you drive. When I drive late at night, sometimes I will put on the classical station. That can be nice at night when it is quieter out. But you have to be careful with that or else you can get sleepy — especially driving around alone late.
JEAN
Where I hailed him: Lower East Side
Where he hails from: Haiti
Years as a cabbie: 7
Previous profession: Store Clerk
I like jazz. Jazz standards, like Ella Fitzgerald. Some of it isn’t so good for listening to when you drive, because of all the noise from the traffic — it drowns it out. Also talk radio shows — a lot of drivers listen to those — and the news, you hear where the bad traffic is, what roads are closed — that sort of thing.
ABDOUL
Where I hailed him: Midtown East
Where he hails from: Guinea
Years as a cabbie: 6
Previous profession: Hotel Clerk
Bob Marley. I love reggae music, and Bob Marley is the master. Rap’s good, too — I used to love Snoop Dogg and Tupac. Now, not as much, maybe. I like country music also. And African music. I like all music — I wish the radio was better in New York.
JUNIOR
Where I hailed him: LaGuardia
Where he hails from: Queens
Years as a cabbie: 4
Previous profession: Student
Bach. I bet you didn’t think I’d say that. I studied piano as a kid, and I worshipped Bach. I usually listen to him when I get off work. It helps with the stress of this job. My favorite piece? Probably the Mass in B Minor.
MIHAL
Where I hailed him: Murray Hill
Where he hails from: Bulgaria
Years as a cabbie: 3
Previous profession: Westchester livery driver
I listen to a wide range of music — from classical to techno. Right now my favorite musician is Tiësto. He’s really famous around the world. A few months ago, he was at Webster Hall, but I wasn’t able to see the show. I like European music a lot too. I’m really into Paul Mauriat this year.
