Grammy(r) Nominated New York musician Nicole Zuraitis combines clever songwriting skills, a vibrant presence and stunning vocals to create a remarkable package that has delighted audiences all over Manhattan and around the globe. You are now part of the growing lady-powerhouse fan club if you were recently at Greenwich Village’s 55 bar and fell in love with the versatile vocalist, keyboard player, and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis. Dan Pugach and Nicole were nominated in the arrangement category of the 61st Annual Grammy(r) Awards. They performed Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”. She was the 2016 New York City Songwriting Competition Coffee Music Project winner, the 2015 second runner up in the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, and the 2014 Herb Alpert ASCAP Young Composer Awards winner. She is also the People’s Choice winner and Johnny Mercer Award recipient in the National American Traditions Vocal Competition. She is the singer for Birdland Big Band, New York City’s most famous jazz band. Her album Hive Mind was awarded the Best Jazz Album at the 2018 International Music and Entertainment Awards. Nicole has performed at the Blue Note (NYC), as well as maintaining residencies in the 55 Bar (every other Thursday), Rockwood Music Hall (with Dan Pugach Nonet), Redeye Grill, and Rockwood Music Hall. Although audiences love Nicole’s unbridled enthusiasm, that’s just a small part of her story. It’s not the only aspect of her talent. Nicole has worked with Thana Alexa and Livingston Taylor as well as Cyrille Aimee and Cyrille Aimee. She also collaborates with Omar Hakim and Melanie Safka. She has performed at numerous festivals across the country and recorded two albums, Pariah Anthem (2013) and Spread The Word 2009, featuring some of New York’s top jazz musicians. Nicole’s latest album, Hive Mind (Dot Time Records), explores themes that are close to her heart. It includes an unflinching love for family and friends, as well as a sincere spirit that finds release through eight original compositions (and 2 covers) that span many genres. Hive Mind is a classical singer and songwriter from Connecticut who was trained at NYU. She swings hard while bringing listeners under her musical wings. Her self-released albums include Pariah Anthem (2013) (Victory Gould, IlanBar Lavi, Nandini Shrikar) and Spread The Word 2009 featuring Winard Harper, the Curtis Brothers. 2017 will see the release of her third album, “Hive Mind”. Nicole’s world-music band EVA released Take Some Air to great reviews. She is still working with Tim Walsh, producer of The Stepkids, on an electronic pop alter-ego called “nikki the riot”. Check out her singles, “Long Meadow Vine”, featuring Cyrille Alexa and Thana Alexa. She will be releasing “Live at The Two Headed Calf”, a live duo album, in December 2018. It features guitarist Brandon Scott Coleman. Nicole is proud to be a faculty member at the Litchfield Jazz Camp. She has been a teacher of songwriting and vocal workshops at various locations, including the Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music, India Embassy, Australian consulate and high school workshop residencies at the Berklee College of Music, Boston. Columbia News Tonight featured her as the “New Yorker” of the Week in a video interview. She is passionate about music and shelter animals, and wants to give back by helping raise awareness about mental health stigma at www.nicolezmusic.com.
