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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, won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 66th GRAMMY Awards in 2024. She has performed all over the world from Birdland and Dizzy’s Club to Lincoln Center China. She first earned GRAMMY attention in 2019 for her arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” with a GRAMMY nomination for Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals. She most recently won a GRAMMY in 2025 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.
In this episode, Nicole traces her path from early days hustling in the New York jazz scene, collaborating with Christian McBridge, touring in China, and navigating the realities of indie artistry. She digs into the power of networking in her community, the pandemic’s impact on NYC venues, why physical release formats still matter, and how grants and private donors help fund albums.
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://aristake.com
