Sunday Concert: The Heart Strings Duo

Forgotten Women of the American Songbook

When guitarist Casey Nielsen and vocalist Christy Bennett get together, their music is a varied and energetic reimagining of songs from across the musical spectrum.

Casey’s study of classical guitar brings a rich texture to arrangements, and Christy’s research into the forgotten female composers of the American Songbook adds fresh new work to the traditional jazz repertoire.

Vocalist Christy Bennett has built a repertoire around forgotten women of the American Songbook. Her ongoing research into these underappreciated composers makes for a unique historical presentation full of surprises and shows how even the most talented women faced headwinds their male counterparts were spared. Their stories are inspiring examples of fortitude and provide a glimpse into the American jazz scene between 1910 and 1950.

Nielsen was 12 when he began to study classical guitar with Paul Henry of Roosevelt University, adding lessons with Chicago jazz guitarist Neal Alger at 14. He earned a BM in Jazz Studies from Northern Illinois University, studying both genres with internationally renowned Fareed Haque, and then spent three more years, post-graduation, with classical guitarist Denis Azabagic at Roosevelt. Nielsen performs solo recitals throughout the Chicago area and is a jazz bandleader and sideman in various groups throughout the country.

Bennett, a native of Springfield, IL, holds a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in vocal performance. She has studied classical voice with Chris Lorimer and Amy Conn. She has studied jazz with Bob Palmieri and jazz voice and piano with Bradley Williams.

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