Yesterday I recorded a duo performing on the Transmilenio — Bogotá’s bus rapid transit (BRT) system. In the background of the video you can see the Bogotá Metro under construction: a 24 km (15 mi) elevated, driverless, automated rapid transit line. The inset image is a digital rendering showing how the Transmilenio below and the Metro above will look once the Metro opens, projected for March 2028.
One of the perks of being a regular TransMilenio passenger is getting to witness talented and sometimes unorthodox musical acts I’d never encounter otherwise. The duo I recorded yesterday was one such example. The passengers in attendance clearly enjoyed the performance, rewarding them generously with loose change.
The young man on the left of the video is playing a melodica, also known as a keyboard harmonica or Pianica. It’s a small, handheld, breath-powered keyboard instrument that produces sound when air is blown across thin metal reeds, much like a harmonica or accordion.
From the outset they sounded wonderful, and I felt compelled to capture the moment. It was hard to keep my phone steady – my legs wanted to bop along. They told us the second piece they performed (presented above) drew from Russian musical traditions, perhaps even Polka? – that lively, upbeat style rooted in frenzied folk dances. Any Russian or Balkan folk music experts in the house?
Of course, the video — obstructed by poles, barriers, and the limitations of a mobile mic – can’t quite replicate the live, in-person experience. Still, I hope you enjoy it. If you liked what you heard, I’ve also included below a longer clip of their first piece.
Anyway, signing off now from an overcast Saturday morning high up in the Andes. ‘Hooroo’ from your resident Aussie.
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I love hearing the melodica, Matt. They play so cool. I enjoyed watching. Thanks for sharing.
Very kind of you Hazel. The melódica sure is a very cool sounding instrument for being so compact.
That is beyond cool man! I really enjoyed this…now that would be a cool ride.
It was a cool ride and I felt grateful to see it. I’m glad you liked it. Thanks Max
Yes I did…and please record it again if you can. Music to travel by.
Wow, I would love to live in a place that had busses like that.
Quality music like that isn’t in abundance on the Transmilenio, but it occurs on occasion.
That’s pretty cool – groovy stuff. It must be challenging to perform on a bus while it’s moving. I recall seeing musicians on the New York subway on past occasions, but usually it would be one guy only with a more simple setup, e.g., just stumming an acoustic guitar. The dude with the electric looked like a had a sizable cart with an amp. In any case, it looked and sounded pretty neat!
Good on you for noticing the challenge of playing an instrument while riding the TransMilenio — I hadn’t even thought about that at the time. I wasn’t sure if the duo were on their way somewhere to perform or just busking on the buses. Either way, I imagine they made a decent day’s earnings, and deservedly so. Super talented with such a unique instrumental blend and sound. I’m just glad this moment is now captured on my blog. Yay!