On her album, 'Hive Mind', NICOLE ZURAITIS displays her remarkably fine-tuned voice and her ability to communicate emotions with accessible lyrics. 'Hive Mind' makes a careful use of Nicole’s wide ranging musical expertise which include but is not limited to Jazz, opera, and pop. Join Nicole and Lorens as she talks about her the album, not fitting in one genre, Shirley Horn, and other subtly related stuff (Music Credit: ‘Episodes’, ‘the Inscription’,’Sunny Side’, ‘Failing’).

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If recently you happened upon Greenwich Village’s 55 Bar and were enchanted by the seismic talent of inspired vocalist, keyboard player and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis, you’re officially part of the lady-powerhouse burgeoning fan club. Nicole Zuraitis blends bountiful songwriting skills, an effervescent presence and dazzling vocals in a consummate package that has thrilled audiences across Manhattan and across the world.

Nicole is the 2016 New York City Songwriting Competition Coffee Music Project Winner, 2015 second runner-up in the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and the 2014 Herb Albert ASCAP Young Composer Awards Winner. She's also the Peoples Choice and Johnny Mercer Award winner in the National American Traditions Vocal Competition. Nicole has headlined the Blue Note (NYC) and maintains residencies at the 55 Bar (every second Thursday of the month), Rockwood Music Hall (with the Dan Pugach Nonet), and Redeye Grill. Audiences love Nicole’s limitless enthusiasm, but that’s only part of her story; only part of her talent.

While pursuing a career that has spanned jazz, pop and classical, Nicole has collaborated with Cyrille Aimee, Thana Alexa, Dave Stryker, Livingston Taylor, Tom Chapin, Omar Hakim, Melanie Safka, Helen Sung and Bernard Purdie. She’s performed at festivals nationwide, and has recorded two albums: 2013’s Pariah Anthem and 2009’s Spread The Word, both releases featuring the cream of New York’s jazz hierarchy.

Nicole’s new recording, Hive Mind (Dot Time Records), chronicles themes close to her heart, including an unflinching love of family and friends delivered with a sincere spirit that finds release in eight intimate original compositions (and two covers) which span genres. After hearing Hive Mind, you’d expect nothing less from this NYU trained classical vocalist and Connecticut born songwriter who swings hard as she brings listeners under her enveloping musical wings.

She has two self released albums under her belt, including the 2013 release Pariah Anthem (Vic-tor Gould, Ilan Bar Lavi, Nandini Srikar) and the 2009 release Spread The Word featuring Winard Harper and the Curtis Brothers. Her third album "Hive Mind" will be released in 2017. Nicole’s world music band EVA just released their EP Take Some Air to rave reviews. She continues working with producer Tim Walsh of The Stepkids on an electronic pop alter ego called "nikki and the riot". Don't forget to check out her singles “Long Meadow Vine” (Featuring Cyrille Aimee and Thana Alexa) and “For the Lonely".

Nicole is a proud faculty member of the Litchfield Jazz Camp. She has taught songwriting and jazz vocal workshops worldwide, including the Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music in India, Israel Embassy, Australian consulate and the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She was featured in a video interview by Columbia News Tonight as "New Yorker of the week" for her work with music and shelter animals and hopes to continue giving back by raising awareness for the mental health stigma.