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07/21/2023 10:51 AMPress Release from the Branford Jazz Series
Nicole Zuraitis is a Grammy-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist, and arranger, New York-based bandleader, and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition gold medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice” (Jazz Police), Zuraitis has positioned herself as one of the top artists and “prolific songwriters” (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond. On Thursday, July 27, she sets her sights on the Branford Jazz Concert Series stage on the Branford Town Green, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Besides leading her quartet, Zuraitis is the premier vocalist for the Birdland Big Band and frequently headlines iconic New York City jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below, and the late, great 55 Bar. She has appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony, and Macon Pops and has supported iconic singers like Melanie, Morgan James, Darren Criss, and Livingston Taylor on piano and vocals. As a recording artist, Nicole has released five albums as leader, and her sixth album, How Love Begins, coproduced with eight-time Grammy winner Christian McBride, was released July 7, featuring all original music. She is a member of the modern jazz supergroup Ryan Keberle and Catharsis, the Dan Pugach Nonet, as well as Sonica with Thana Alexa and Julia Adamy.
Zuraitis’ arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” cowritten with renowned drummer and bandleader Dan Pugach, was nominated for a 2019 Grammy, spring-boarding her career and making her a household name in the modern-day jazz landscape. In 2020, she was named in the top 40 under 40 for 2020 in Connecticut Magazine, and her weekly live stream during the COVID-19 crisis, “Virtual Piano Lounge,” was featured in Forbes Magazine. Zuraitis has collaborated with an extensive list of luminaries, including Christian McBride, David Cook, Gilad Hekselman, Veronica Swift, Benny Benack, Stephen Feifke, Cyrille Aimee, Antonio Sanchez, Dave Stryker, Omar Hakim, Rachel Z, Helen Sung, and Bernard Purdie. She is a proud educator and currently vocal faculty at New York University and SUNY Purchase. She is an ardent activist with a decade-long track record of giving back, and her album release coincided with a self-produced music festival and day of activism for savethesound.org.