When the members of Sister Willow talk about the origins of the band, there’s a lot of wonderment about the mystery and joy of the inner workings of the universe. Chrissy Gardner, Abigail Zsiga and Megan Chenot had spent their entire professional lives making music - decades of writing, singing, playing and touring - before even meeting each other, but each had connections to the others without even knowing it (here’s a little video about one of those coincidences). Those distant strings pulled them closer and somehow all three found themselves playing in the New Haven, CT area at the same moment in time. One beautiful concert brought Chrissy, Abigail and Megan on stage together - finally! - and the experience of harmonizing together was so magical that they vowed to hold on to it, to make it happen again and again. It was clear that something special was beginning, and the idea of Sister Willow - a band fronted equally by three women - took hold. And then pretty much immediately, Abigail moved to England, and Megan to California. But what great journey is ever linear? Undeterred, Sister Willow kept making music over oceans and across continents, throughout a pandemic and though many personal changes and experiences. Now their debut album is on the horizon, with new songs being released throughout the fall and winter of 2024/2025.
BIOS
chrissy gardner
CHRISSY GARDNER is a songwriter, pianist, singer and blossoming music producer. For the past 20 years, she has been singing and playing in piano lounges, musical duos and bands. She has produced concerts across Chicago, New York and New England performing original music from her albums, “Alabaster Room” and “Waxwing”. She was a founding member of A Broken Umbrella Theatre for whom she has composed music for seven original productions. She is also the keyboardist and backup singer for the incomparable Lee-Ann Lovelace. During the pandemic, Chrissy created a wildly popular, weekly, online variety show which she produced and hosted from her home studio called The Moose Piano Lounge. Chrissy lives in New Haven, CT with her husband, two cats and a brilliant and kind daughter, Lucy. chrissygardner.com
abigail zsiga
British born ABIGAIL ZSIGA is an internationally acclaimed recording artist, writer and performer. Her early career saw her travel the world in support of several chart- topping club anthems such as “Let The Joy Rise”, “If It Don’t Fit” and “You Set Me Free.” Several of Abigail’s releases made top 10 on the Billboard Club Play Charts, two of which made it to the coveted #1 spot. In more recent years, Abigail has been writing, recording and performing a much more stripped down acoustic style of music that allows her voice to be showcased to its fullest and captures her audience with its haunting and honest expression. In 2004 she released her acoustic album “Home…Again” to much critical acclaim, the lead single “Better With You” becoming a radio favorite and was licensed for the TV show “Royal Pains”. Abigail relocated back to the UK in 2017 and continues to perform regularly in and around London.
megan chenot
After traveling throughout the US & Europe as the lead singer for New England R&B and swing legends Eight to the Bar, singer/guitarist MEGAN CHENOT recorded four albums with original indie pop band Mission Zero. She also sang, played guitar and arranged for cover bands David & Chenot and The Keith & Mazer Trio (called “the best bar band in the world” by the Advocate). Now a full-time solo artist, Megan plays eclectic sets of acoustic covers at bars, restaurants, weddings, vineyards and private events. Her recent musical work also includes gear demos for Sennheiser and BOSS at NAMM in Anaheim, gigs at Club Med properties outside the US, and VIP Lounge performances for Live Nation before concerts by Richard Marx, Rick Springfield, and John Mayer. She performs regularly with The Sultans and once in a blue moon with Lovefox. megankeithchenot.com