Nicole Zuraitis

Nicole Zuraitis, born in Waterbury, Connecticut, began her musical journey at the age of 11, playing trombone and percussion before discovering jazz at Litchfield Jazz Camp. She pursued classical vocal training at New York University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music in 2007, and later a Master’s Degree from LSU Shreveport. After a brief period in opera, Zuraitis transitioned to songwriting and jazz in New York City in 2009. Her early career highlights include being a runner-up in The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2015 and winning the American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal in 2021. She has been recognized in DownBeat’s Annual Critics Polls as a “Rising Star, Female Vocalist of the Year” in both 2024 and 2025.

Zuraitis has released six albums as a leader, with her 2024 album, “How Love Begins,” co-produced with eight-time GRAMMY-winner Christian McBride, earning her a GRAMMY Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Notably, she is the only artist to win this award having written and arranged the entire album herself. Her arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” co-written with Dan Pugach, received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals in 2019. In 2025, she was nominated for Best Jazz Performance for “Little Fears.” She is also a featured artist and producer on her husband Dan Pugach’s 2025 GRAMMY-winning album, “Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence.” Her collaborations extend to artists such as Christian McBride, Dave Brubeck, Darren Criss, Livingston Taylor, and Jon Batiste. She is the premier vocalist for the Birdland Big Band and has performed at notable venues including the Newport Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, and the Blue Note Jazz Club.

Beyond her performance career, Zuraitis is dedicated to music education, serving on the vocal faculty at NYU, SUNY Purchase, and the Litchfield Jazz Camp. In 2024, Post University awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters. She is also a known activist, demonstrated by her self-produced music festival and activism day for Save the Sound.Org, coinciding with the release of “How Love Begins.”