This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Nicole Zuraitis, a GRAMMY-winning, New York–based jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and arranger. Her 2023 album How Love Begins—co-produced with Christian McBride—won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 66th GRAMMY Awards (2024). She’s performed widely from Birdland and Dizzy’s Club to symphony halls, and first earned GRAMMY attention in 2019 for her arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” with the Dan Pugach Nonet. Recent projects include the concert release Live at Vic’s and international touring, with additional 2025 GRAMMY nominations connected to her work with husband, Dan Pugach.

In this episode, Nicole traces her path from early days hustling in New York’s scene to recording a live album, collaborating with Christian McBride, touring in China with Jazz at Lincoln Center partners, and navigating the realities of indie artistry. She digs into the power of networking, the pandemic’s impact on jazz rooms, why physical formats still matter, and how grants and private donors help fund albums—before previewing what’s next on her creative slate.

https://www.nicolezmusic.com/

4:53 - Introduction and Nicole's new live album

9:23 - The decision to record live at VIXX

15:53 - Collaborating with Christian McBride

22:38 - Touring in China and working with Jazz at Lincoln Center

29:08 - The Grammy experience and independent artist challenges

36:33 - The role of networking in New York's music scene

44:13 - The impact of the pandemic on jazz clubs

51:43 - The importance of physical music products in the digital age

59:23 - Funding albums through grants and private donors

1:05:53 - Nicole's upcoming projects and future plans

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

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