NICOLE ZURAITIS

LIVE AT VIC’S

La Reserve Records

Nicole Zuraitis, vocals/piano; Rachel Eckroth, organ; Idan Morim, guitar; Dan Pugach, drums; Samuel Weber, bass; Keyon Harrold, trumpet; Tom Scott, saxophone.

Nicole Zuraitis cut this album “Live at Vic’s” in Las Vegas, Nevada.  With the accompaniment of her hot band, Zuraitis opens with the 1956 R&B hit record “I got my Mojo Working” originally recorded by Ann Cole.  Muddy Waters was actually the artist who made this song popular in 1957 when he covered it. The song quickly became a blues standard. Rachel Eckroth shares a soulful organ solo and Tom Scott’s saxophone solo is memorable.

The thing about Nicole Zuraitis is her amazing vocal phrasing.  Even though this is a blues and R&B standard, she interjects jazz into her arrangement.  At one point, she scats and during the song presentation she phrases the lyrics in a very jazzy way.

Ms. Zuraitis received two back-to-back GRAMMY wins recently, including the 2024 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album.  She was the first independent artist to win in this category.  The talented young vocalist is also proud to say she wrote and arranged that complete winning album. It was co-produced by the celebrated jazz bassist, Christian McBride.

Nicole Zuraitis grew up in Connecticut.  She attended Litchfield public schools and Holy Cross High School in Waterbury. She is the premier vocalist for the Birdland Big Band and also frequents Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note Jazz Club and more.  In addition to singing, she is a competent songwriter.

Zuraitis  ‘swings’ “The Nearness of You” with Idan Morim’s guitar dancing beside each note in a lovely way.  Samuel Weber takes an impressive solo on his double bass, followed by Morim expressing himself boldly during an improvised guitar solo.  Nicole comes back into the song scatting her way through the chord changes of the first couple of verses. On the bridge, she returns to the lyrics, still phrasing in a very jazzy way.

A song called “All Stars Lead to You” comes next, with it’s luscious production by her all-star band. Both Tom Scott on sax and Keyon Harrold on trumpet make outstanding musical statements during their awesome improvisational solos. They are spurred forward by the dynamic drums of Dan Pugach. Nicole Zuraitis is composer of this song.

The Willie Wonka film tune “Pure Imagination” has become a “go-to” for jazz musicians.  Nicole Zuraitis makes it her own.

Another original that the vocalist co-wrote with Billy Seidman is titled, “Middle C” with a very cute lyric and an arrangement that throws me back to the 1940’s.  However, the melody and some of the lyrics are quite contemporary.  “I like my man, like I like my notes.  Not too high and not too low.  No slight of hand, no complications. … You’re the do, in my do-re-me.  Baby, you’re my middle C,” she sings.

I was touched when she sang my friend Bernard Ighner’s amazing jazz standard, “Everything Must Change.”  With only the sensitive accompaniment of guitarist, (Idan Morim), her voice soars, using her full range. When they reach the second verse, “Winter turns to Spring…” the band joins them, with the Quincy Jones pick-up inserted.  However, I was disappointed in their arrangement going forward. It turned into a cacophony of excitement, almost a musical rock arrangement.  I think the song is just too beautiful for that kind of production.

To open the “Reverie” song, her patter to the crowd explains, she’s a self-taught pianist and a recovering opera singer.  Yes, she does have the range and ability of an opera singer.

This album is a double disc set and offers you sixteen songs that show Nicole’s wide range of repertoire.  She covers tunes by Stevie Nicks with the same ease and excellence as when she sings “Round Midnight” by Thelonious Monk.  Her love of music crosses genres.  She sings several original songs, but also includes compositions by Nina Simone, Jimmy Web, Dolly Parton, and Hoagy Carmichael.   This recorded concert is absolutely entertaining. It’s an  example of a fresh voice on the jazz horizon.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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