Grammy Winner Nicole Zuraitis to Ignite Atlanta Jazz Festival

Two-time Grammy-winning artist Nicole Zuraitis is slated to captivate audiences at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, bringing her distinctive sound to Piedmont Park on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 3 PM. Her rise to prominence in the jazz world has been anything but traditional, marked by deeply personal experiences and a steadfast belief in the power of contemporary songwriting within the genre.

Zuraitis recently made history at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024, by becoming the only artist to win Best Jazz Vocal Album for an album comprised entirely of her original music. Her 2023 release, *How Love Begins* (Outside In Music), secured the prestigious award, an accomplishment she co-produced with eight-time Grammy winner Christian McBride.

This landmark achievement underscores a career built on blending traditional jazz foundations with a fresh, living approach to composition. McBride himself has lauded Zuraitis's multifaceted talent, remarking, "Working with Nicole was an absolute thrill. She does everything at the highest level: singing, playing, writing, producing, and arranging. I'm putting big, big money on Nicole. I can't wait to see her career explode."

Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Zuraitis began her musical journey early, singing by age 11 and engaging with instruments like the trombone and percussion in middle school. Her formative years included attending the Litchfield Jazz Camp, an experience she credits with igniting her passion for jazz. She went on to study classical voice at New York University, earning her bachelor's degree in music in 2007, and later secured a master's degree from LSU Shreveport. After a brief stint in professional opera, she pivoted to songwriting and jazz, returning to New York City in 2009. Her contributions to music were recognized with her induction into the 2020 Crusader Hall of Honor.

A pivotal personal moment around 2008, described as a heartbreak, unexpectedly shaped a significant part of her career. A friend, seeking to offer comfort, reportedly introduced her to Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Zuraitis, unfamiliar with the song, found herself at the piano, improvising a dark, modal arrangement that mirrored her emotions. This unique rendition remained a solo performance for years until she met her now-husband, drummer Dan Pugach. Pugach, with his Moroccan heritage, instinctively added hand percussion, enriching the arrangement. After years of performing this version, Pugach eventually arranged it for his nonet, leading to a 2019 Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals. Zuraitis has noted that this nomination "springboarded her career and made her a household name in the modern-day jazz landscape."

Another unconventional turn occurred in 2023 during a challenging period in Los Angeles. Feeling isolated, Zuraitis decided to host an industry party, meticulously catering and inviting numerous contacts. Despite her efforts, only around 20 guests appeared, leaving her reportedly "mortified." However, two men arrived at the very end. Following her performance, one inquired about songs with a "vintage pop flavor." Zuraitis provided her contact information and later sent a demo of her original track, "Always."

This seemingly minor interaction blossomed into a major opportunity: "Always" was featured as the closing track on Teyana Taylor's 2025 Grammy-nominated album *Escape Room*, released by Def Jam Records. Remarkably, the original guitar track from Zuraitis's demo, recorded by her friend Ted Morcaldi in Connecticut, was retained for the final album. Reflecting on the experience, Zuraitis remarked, "I went to Los Angeles hoping to make a bass player friend and ended up on Def Jam. Closed mouths do not get fed."

Zuraitis views her Grammy win as a dual experience, stating, "Winning the Grammy was two things at once. The first was a personal celebration as a woman in jazz. The second was a question that would not leave me alone. Why had this never happened before?" This introspection led her to establish the Modern Songbook Society, a platform dedicated to championing living jazz songwriters and composers. She firmly believes that "both tradition and innovation can coexist, and that the living writers of today deserve a canon of their own."

Her own musical philosophy, which she terms "The Modern Songbook," serves as a "gateway to jazz." She explains that her music is deeply rooted in the traditions and language of jazz, acknowledging its origins in Black American music, while also drawing inspiration from diverse songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Billy Joel. This approach results in a genre-spanning sound that remains firmly anchored in jazz. As she describes it, "Every song is a little book that the audience is invited to use their imagination to listen to."

Beyond her solo endeavors, Zuraitis has an extensive list of collaborations, working with esteemed artists including Dave Brubeck, Jimmy Carter, Christian McBride, Darren Criss, and Livingston Taylor. She also played a significant role as a featured artist and producer on her husband Dan Pugach's 2025 Grammy-winning album, *Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence*, where they co-composed the Grammy-nominated song "Little Fears" in the Best Jazz Performance category. Her vocal talents are also heard on the Grammy-winning "Last Sunday in Plains: A Centennial Celebration," alongside artists like Jon Batiste, Keb' Mo', and LeeAnn Rimes.

Her achievements extend to numerous accolades, including being recognized as a "Rising Star, Female Vocalist of the Year" in DownBeat's Annual Critics Polls in both 2024 and 2025. She was also a runner-up in The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2015 and earned the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. In 2024, Post University bestowed upon her an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters. Additionally, Zuraitis shares her expertise as vocal faculty at New York University and the Litchfield Jazz Camp.

Looking ahead, Zuraitis is preparing for the release of her upcoming album, *The Devil I Knew*, produced by Larry Klein, slated for July 2026. In a recent interview, when asked about a song reflecting a broken heart, she referenced a track from this new project with the poignant lyric: "love is the one thing in life when you lose it you doubt it existed." Her performance at the Atlanta Jazz Festival offers a prime opportunity to experience the innovative and deeply personal artistry that defines her celebrated career.