There's a good reason why harmonicas, guitars, and other small, stringed instruments are the most commonly utilized by street musicians.  After all, carting a full drum set around seems a bit impractical.

But there was Peter Richards, 45, seated at his kit outside the Eaton Centre on Tuesday, snapping his snare and making his cymbals shake and sizzle in the midst of a sudden squall.   

For Richards, a native of Montreal who now calls Toronto home, it's obvious that passion trumps pragmatism, and you can find him in the same spot plying his percussive trade year round, up to 6 days a week.  

"It's been 20 years that I've been street performing," he explains, a snow-capped hoser toque pulled low over his eyes.    "It's work and it's independent, it's honest, there's aspects that I really love about it."

The gregarious drummer walks to Yonge and Dundas from his apartment near Kensington Market, and uses a small cart to transport his gear.   

A torrential downpour is about the only thing that will keep him from setting up.  When I ask him about playing in the snow, he lets out a smile, "Snow is nice, this is fine.  It's a gas, I'm warm," he stresses.  "I'm fortunate.  If I were playing guitar it would be impossible because your hands would freeze."

Richards is self-taught and specializes in jazz.  He hosts a weekly jam at a local 'hole in the wall', and has worked in the music industry for years, gigging out west for a while before heading to the Big Smoke.  

He hits the streets for practice, to engage the community, and to help pay the bills.

"I love people...and I've always done my gigs as well and had fun and done CD work and this and that, but...there aren't many jazz musicians that make a living just out of performing."

A cabbie waiting for a customer nearby suddenly jumps out of his vehicle and tosses a toonie into Richards' tip bucket.

"I hear this guy all the time," he tells me.  "He's so good.  Sometimes I pick someone up and I don't want to drive away because I want to listen."

Richards loves interacting with the public and other performers.  He's one of a slew of artists who contribute to the city's flourishing arts scene on the streets.

"I love the positive feedback.  The kids are the best, the toddlers," he beams.  "They are dancing and moving, kids are like that innately."

"People are nice, it's okay," he concludes as a layer of snow accumulates on his drums.  "It's hard work.  You have to love drumming and people...You wouldn't do it as a career move," he advises.  "But I'm thankful."

If you know an interesting local character, write me at michael.talbot@citynews.rogers.com

More stories by Michael Talbot.