(Vocal Jazz) Nicole Zuraitis - Pariah Anthem - 2013, MP3, 320 kbps

"Zuraitis’ fluid, natural sound is very much richly expressive and wide ranging... her composing full of jazz sensibility and great emotional depth, open to a variety of influences.... an emotive voice with seductive warmth.... 'Pariah Anthem' is a winning exhibition of her performance and songwriting skills." Owen McNally HARTFORD COURANT
Singer/songwriter and pianist Nicole Zuraitis has been turning heads with her huge voice and catchy melodies since she returned to New York in 2009. As diverse as the city that spawned them, the Nicole Zuraitis Group uses world travel experience as inspiration for their sound. Genre-bending is her forte; cultivating her diverse musical background into a sound that can only be described as hybrid innovation. A broad mixture of jazz, pop, r&b and indie fusion, Nicole bridges the gap between brands while utilizing her unparalleled vocals. Having recently returned from a tour of Asia and India, she shared the stage with the extraordinary Jane Monheit for the performance of "Jane Monheit and the Ladies of Jazz". She recently was recognized as a finalist in the 2013 Songdoor International Songwriting Contest, as well as selected for the 2013 New York City Battle of the Boroughs Competition, to be held in March. Nicole has opened for jazz legend Dave Brubeck, as well as "the Platters" and collaborated with world renowned Indian carnatic guitarist and composer Prasanna while teaching and touring in India. She was featured by Columbia News Tonight as "New Yorker of the week" for her work with music and shelter animals.
Motivated by all genres, Nicole received her Bachelor of Music from New York University in classical vocal performance, and has been pursuing a successful and diverse career ever since. In July 2008 she released her first jazz album full of cherished classic love songs "Nicole Zuraitis; Spread the Word", featuring Luques and Zaccai Curtis as well as Winard Harper. She is fortunate to have played with jazz all stars such as Jane Monheit, Bobby Militello, Rachel Z, Prasanna, Panagiotis Andreau, Lauren Sevian, Michael Kanan, Don Braden, Dave Stryker, Charli Persip, Winard Harper and Chris Brubeck. She is currently producing her album of entirely original music, recorded with incredible NYC musicians, set to be released by late 2012.
Other recent accomplishments include weekly/monthly residencies in New York hot spots such as the Friar's Club, the Aster Room, Toshi's Living Room Penthouse, the Waldorf Astoria's Bull and Bear, Club Macanudo, Ella Lounge, The Cupping Room Cafe and Ashford and Simpson's Sugar Bar. She won 1st place in the New York City National Association of Teachers of Singing competition, was a soloist in Dell'Arte Opera of New York, CT Live Music Spotlight Featured Artist and has had many live television features for her association with organization Jazz'd for Life.
Besides performing, Nicole is proud to be a freelance educator and private voice teacher. She joined the faculty of the Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music in Chennai, India in the Spring of 2012, along with Manu Koch, Panagiotis Andreau, Harvey Wirht and Sebastian Cruz. Nicole is proud of be a part of LItchfield Performing Arts and is the vocal faculty for the Litchfield Jazz Camp. Her studio is based in NYC, Long Island and Westchester.

Nicole Zuraitis - Vocals (All), Piano (2, 3, 6, 8)
Dan Pugach - Drums
Scott Colberg - Double Bass
Julian Shore - Rhodes/Organ (1, 4, 7, 10)
Victor Gould - Piano (5, 9)
Ilan Bar-Lavi - Guitar (1, 4, 7, 10)
Billy Buss - Trumpet/Flugelhorn (1, 8)
Jon Paul - Acoustic Guitar (3)
Nandini Srikar - Vocals (6)