NCPA International Jazz Festival 2026 – Day 2

An NCPA Presentation

Nicole Zuraitis 2X GRAMMY® winning and 6X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist and arranger, New York-based bandleader and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Nicole is a trailblazing artist who is redefining vocal jazz and jazz songwriting, earning her a place as one of the top artists and “prolific songwriters” (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond, or as she likes to call it “The Modern Songbook”.

As a recording artist, Nicole has released seven albums as leader, and her sixth album, How Love Begins, co-produced with eight-time GRAMMY-winner Christian McBride, won BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM at the 2024 GRAMMY® awards and features all original music. She is the only person ever to have won this award who wrote and arranged the entire album herself.

Joining her is her husband Dan Pugach, an Israeli American composer, drummer, arranger, and bandleader. He won a Grammy Award in 2025 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence and later that same year was nominated for Best Jazz Performance for All Stars Lead To You – Live and Best Jazz Vocal Album for Live at Vic’s Las Vegas for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in 2026. Nicole’s arrangement of Dolly Parton’s Jolene, co-written with Dan Pugach, was nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY®,

Enjoy a Season Ticket discount at the NCPA Box Office when you purchase 2 or more tickets for all three concerts— 15% for Members and 10% for the public .

Box Office now open.