Jennifer Hartswick And Nick Cassarino Welcome Natalie Cressman & Celisse Henderson In NYC

Vocalist/trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick and guitarist/vocalist Nick Cassarino recently completed their first tour as a duo. The pair’s penultimate performance took place this past Friday night at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, where they were joined by vocalist Celisse Henderson and vocalist/trombonist Natalie Cressman for a portion of their set.

Nick and Jen are both Vermont natives and have been friends and musical collaborators for well over a decade. The pair’s chemistry was evident throughout the 75-minute performance as they cracked each other up and impressed not only the audience, but themselves. Cassarino took the stage first and The Nth Power frontman uncorked a stunning rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” with the help of the crowd.

Hartswick emerged for the second song of the evening, as the duo performed the first of a handful of new originals off the forthcoming Nexus. Jen then sang a powerful cover of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery.” Next, the stage was filled as Natalie Cressman from the Trey Anastasio Band and Broadway star Celisse Henderson augmenting the pair. The highlight of the night was Nexus track “You Can’t Take It Back,” which featured vibrant harmonies from Hartswick, Cressman and Henderson.

The set moved on with a stellar medley from Cassarino and Hartswick as Nick wanted to hear “Jenny sing the blues.” Hartswick began the medley by belting out “Stormy Monday.” Cassarino then jumped in to end the sequence with “How Blue Can You Get.” For the finale, Natalie and Celisse returned for an emotion-laden “How Come You Don’t Call Me” sung by Jennifer that left jaws on the floor.

Watch videos from the duo portion of the show captured by Marc Millman:

[Angel From Montgomery]

[Stormy Monday > How Blue Can You Get]