WICN August 2025 Artist of the Month: Nicole Zuraitis
Written by WICN Intern on August 1, 2025
Nicole Zuraitis is a two-time Grammy-winning and four-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and producer. Known for her fluid, soulful sound, sophisticated harmony, and effervescent stage presence, Nicole has become a standout voice in contemporary jazz.
A native of Connecticut, Nicole attended Holy Cross High School in Waterbury. Recognizing Nicole’s immense talent, her high school music director encouraged her to pursue jazz music, which led her to begin singing with a local community college big band. She also attributes her early interest in jazz to frequently attending Litchfield Jazz Camp.
Nicole went on to study classical voice at New York University before fully committing to jazz, songwriting, and performance in New York City. To say she’s thrived would be an understatement.
She has recorded with the Birdland Big Band, co-produced the Dan Pugach Big Band, and appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony, and the Macon Pops. Nicole’s collaborations include work with Tom Scott, Keyon Harrold, David Cook, Gilad Hekselman, Veronica Swift, Livingston Taylor, and many others.
Nicole has released five albums as a solo artist, and recently released her sixth, How Love Begins, in collaboration with Christian McBride. The album won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards. She is also a featured artist and producer on Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence, her husband Dan Pugach’s 2025 Grammy-winning album.
Nicole’s accolades also include the Gold Medal at the 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition, and recognition in Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40” list in 2020 for her artistic and social impact.
A passionate activist, Nicole has a long track record of giving back. All proceeds from Bianca Reimagined go to pit-bull rescues that Nicole and Dan have fostered for the last 15 years. She also aligned the release of How Love Begins with a self-produced music festival and day of action for Save the Sound.org, an organization devoted to protecting the environment of the Long Island Sound region.
Currently, Nicole is an educator and vocal faculty member at NYU and the Litchfield Jazz Camp. In 2024, Post University awarded Nicole an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters.
She has headlined at the Newport Jazz Festival, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Caramoor, the Saratoga Jazz Festival and Tanglewood, and WICN is thrilled to welcome her to the Jazz+ Live stage on August 22nd.
Submitted by: Erin Donahue 2025
