Introducing a New Concert Experience: The Great American Songbook Meets Modern Americana

Shoreline Arts Alliance member, Cyndie Hasty, is a southern singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and band leader. She has performed her Americana music in New York City at Lincoln Center, Harlem Stages, House of Blues, The Bitter End, CBGB’s, Tribeca Performing Arts Center and Gotham Comedy Club, among others. In the past, she has opened for jazz great, Mose Allison, legendary vocalist, Margaret Whiting and New Orleans favorites, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha-Cha’s, and now she is embarking on a new adventure….

Singer-songwriter and pianist Cyndie Hasty is stepping into 2026 with an exciting new artistic collaboration alongside harmonica player Johnny Russell, bringing to life a concert program that blends timeless American songwriting with fresh, contemporary original work. The duo—already known individually for their expressive musicianship—are now developing a unique performance experience designed for community venues, arts organizations and libraries across Connecticut.

Their upcoming program celebrates three musical pillars: The Great American Songbook, Classic Americana, and Cyndie’s own critically acclaimed original compositions. It’s a thoughtful and beautifully curated journey through some of the most beloved melodies and stories in American music.

Cydie Hasty

Audiences can expect elegant, heartfelt renditions of works by legendary songwriters including Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Don Henley, and Bobby Whitlock. With sensitivity and skill, Cyndie’s piano and vocals bring new life to cherished standards such as “Stardust,” “Moon River,” “September in the Rain,” and the whimsical Western classic “I’m an Old Cowhand from the Rio Grande.” More contemporary Americana fans will recognize the atmospheric storytelling of “Doolin-Dalton,” presented in an intimate yet cinematic sound world shaped by the duo’s interplay.

Alongside these classics, the program features a strong slate of Cyndie Hasty’s original

compositions—songs that have earned praise for their lyrical depth, melodic strength, and emotional honesty. Highlights include “This Old Town,” a reflective portrait of place and memory; “Lackawanna Moon,” with its haunting imagery and harmonic richness; and “Breaker Boy,” a character-driven ballad steeped in American working-class history. These originals stand confidently alongside the repertoire that inspired them, offering audiences a sense of continuity between the past and present of American songwriting.

Johnny Russell

What makes this collaboration particularly compelling is the musical chemistry between Cyndie and Johnny. Her expressive piano lines and evocative vocals blend seamlessly with Johnny Russell’s lyrical harmonica—an instrument that brings a distinctly human breath and warmth to every arrangement. The result is a performance that feels both timeless and personal, polished yet deeply alive.

The duo will begin scheduling concerts for late spring and summer, with performances tailored for intimate venues, cultural centers, and community audiences seeking artistry, storytelling, and nostalgia delivered with originality and heart.

This is a program that honors America’s musical lineage while contributing meaningfully to its ongoing story—an experience not to be missed as Cyndie Hasty and Johnny Russell take it on the road across Connecticut.