Jazz on Buchanan: Jennifer Hartswick & Nick Cassarino
Thursday, September 25th · 5:30PM
FREE CONCERT
About the artists:
Jennifer and Nicholas have been playing, writing, laughing, and storytelling for almost two decades. Born and raised in Vermont, their bond is ever present in this intimate acoustic duo. Hartswick and Cassarino have each made names for themselves, touring tirelessly. Their passion, dedication and sophistication are evident in their joyous, soulful performances, providing audiences with a truly special musical experience.
Trumpeter and vocalist Jennifer Hartswick is one of the most exciting performers in music today. She exudes confidence and joy and brings her own refreshing spirit to the stage every time she performs. Jennifer’s music is honest, soulful and comes with a maturity far beyond her years.
Hartswick is an original member of the Trey Anastasio Band and has recorded/shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Phish, Christian McBride, Tom Petty, Aaron Neville, Carlos Santana, The Rolling Stones, Big Gigantic, Dave Matthews and countless others.
Jennifer’s live performances are renowned as spontaneous, joyful and contagious. Her natural charisma and sincerity shines through, and each performance is a celebration of musical collaboration. And whether she is wailing on the trumpet or singing an intimate vocal solo, her performance is all part of a single seamless instrument, one that is played not only with astounding technical proficiency, but also with sensitivity, conviction and heart.
Nick Cassarino was born into a musical family from Vermont who believed in the healing power of music. He grew up listening to James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Steely Dan and Earth Wind and Fire.
In high school he began studying Jazz under the tutelage of local jazz legends Dave Grippo, Paul Asbell, and James Harvey. Upon graduating performing at premier venues in Burlington VT with his own group, The Nicholas Cassarino Ensemble.
At 22, he took a leap of faith and moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. It was here that he honed his chops in gospel churches and jazz night clubs. He joined a 10 piece Hip Hop collective called the Lifted Crew and they became the touring band for hip hop legends Slick Rick the Ruler and Big Daddy Kane.
In 2013, he formed an electric-church/soul-rock project, ‘The Nth Power’ in New Orleans. They have been releasing records and touring internationally ever since.
In 2018, he joined forces with singer/trumpet player Jennifer Hartswick and began writing and producing records with her and bassist Christian McBride. In September 2022, they released a new record on Mack Avenue Records available now.
Nick has performed with such renowned artists as Babyface, John Mayer, Toni Braxton, Stephen Marley, Melissa Etheridge, Take 6, Lalah Hathaway, Leslie Odom Jr, Peter Gunz, Koffee, Elle Mai, Slick Rick the Ruler, Big Daddy Kane, Talib Kwali, Ivan Neville, Cyril Neville, Jimmy Herring, Trey Anastasio, Oteil Burbridge, Christian McBride, and Nicholas Payton.