Photo: Brooke Duffy

Twenty-three year old vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, a native of Litchfield, CT, is a recent graduate from New York University (2007). Nicole began attending the Litchfield Jazz Camp when she was only 12 years old. Then she was playing piano, trombone and singing. While she studied mainly classical voice at NYU, Nicole took advantage of everything New York City had to offer by attending all kinds of live performances which strongly influenced her unique ear and sensibility for jazz. Most recently she has focused on her jazz career performing around the tri-state area. Nicole has performed from NYC to Italy and in 2006 she won 1^st place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing University Competition in New York City.

As the vocal teaching assistant at the Litchfield Jazz Camp she has been fortunate to perform for and learn from Dena Derose, Don Braden, Mario Pavone, Karrin Allyson, Bill Henderson and many others. A self proclaimed perfectionist, Nicole's voice is as pure and melodious as they come. Her debut CD will be released this summer. The Nicole Zuraitis Quartet is Nicole Zuraitis on vocals and other Litchfield Jazz Camp alumni Zaccai Curtis on piano, Luques Curtis on bass and Richie Barshay on drums.

Visit Nicole Zuraitis’s website: www.nicolezuraitis.com.
 

Photo: Brooke Duffy