Nicole Zuraitis is a 2X GRAMMY® winning and 6X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist and arranger, New York-based band- leader and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Nicole is a trailblazing artist who is redefining vocal jazz, earning her a place as one of the top artists and "prolific songwriters" (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond.

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As a recording artist, Nicole has released seven albums as leader, and her sixth album How Love Begins, co-produced with eight-time GRAMMY-winner Christian McBride (2023), features all original music and was awarded the GRAMMY for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Her seventh album, Live at Vic's, is currently nominated for two GRAMMY awards. In addition to leading her quartet, Nicole performed and recorded with the Birdland Big Band as premier vocalist before taking off as a large ensemble leader of her own, co-producing the Dan Pugach Big Band and guesting for major European big bands. 

 

Nicole is a featured artist and producer on her husband, renowned drummer, bandleader, and composer Dan Pugach’s 2025 GRAMMY-winning album, “Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence” (Best Large Ensemble) for which they composed the GRAMMY-nominated song, “Little Fears” (Best Jazz Performance). Nicole is a vocalist on the 2025 GRAMMY-winning “Last Sunday in Plains: A Centennial Celebration” alongside Jon Batiste, Keb’ Mo’, and LeeAnn Rimes. In 2024, Broadway World honored Nicole with the “Best Big Band Show” Award. Nicole's arrangement of Dolly Parton's Jolene, co-written with Dan Pugach, was nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY®, springboarding her career and making her a household name in the modern-day jazz landscape. 

 

Nicole has headlined at Newport Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and Tanglewood, along with iconic NYC jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below and the late, great 55 Bar. She also has appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony, and Macon Pops. ​Nicole 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, Melanie, Morgan James, Darren Criss, Livingston Taylor, and Bernard Purdie. She is a proud educator and currently vocal faculty at NYU and SUNY Purchase. For more information, visit nicolezmusic.com

 

​CURRENT PROJECTS

HOW LOVE BEGINS. An evening of the music from Nicole's GRAMMY®-winning album. Nicole Zuraitis transmits joyful enthusiasm, diverse musicality, and limitless vocal capabilities. Her show spotlights imaginative arrangements of beloved standards and swinging original compositions.

SIREN SONGS. Celebrating women songwriters and lyricists of the last 100 years. Featuring music from 1924 to the present day, this show is full of surprises, unknown facts, and classic gems, with arrangements by Zuraitis of music by Carole King, Bobby Gentry, Loretta Lynn, Sade, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Dolly Parton, Janis Ian, amazing modern day composers and living jazz songwriters, and more. This show is a true crowd favorite!

NICOLE ZURAITIS WITH THE DAN PUGACH NONET OR BIG BAND.* The Dan Pugach Nonet and Big Band is led by GRAMMY®-winning drummer and composer, Dan Pugach. These joyful bands feature gorgeous jazz arrangements and inventive compositions by both Pugach and Zuraitis. 

*Bring Nicole and Dan to your University or High School for an exciting collaboration with your students!