Casey Nielsen

Casey 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 NIU, studying both genres with internationally renowned Fareed Haque and three more years, post graduation, with classical guitarist Denis Azabagic, also at Roosevelt. Casey performs solo recitals throughout the Chicago area and is a jazz bandleader and sideman in various groups throughout the USA. As a classical guitarist, solo concerts throughout the Chicago area including Baker Memorial Church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, North Shore Baptist Church, Elgin Public Library, Northbrook Public Library, Fabyan Park Japanese Garden series, and Musical Offering’s Music on Madison concert series. As a jazz guitarist, most of Chicago’s jazz venues including Andy’s, Fulton Street Arts Collective, Green Mill’s Composer Collective, Jazz Showcase, Merriman’s Playhouse, and The Whistler. Since forming in 2014, his Lapis Trio has played many venues including Chicago Botanic Gardens, Elastic, Fabyan Park Japanese Garden series, 2017 Glen Ellyn Jazz Festival, Merriman’s Playhouse, and Musical Offering’s Music on Madison concert
series.