GRAMMY-winning vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis cements her place as one of today’s most versatile and compelling jazz artists with the release of Live at Vic’s, her debut concert album recorded at the iconic Las Vegas jazz club Vic’s. Captured over an electrifying two-hour show, the album offers an immersive experience that showcases Zuraitis’s extraordinary talents across multiple musical dimensions — from singer and pianist to improviser, songwriter, arranger, and storyteller.
A Triumph Following Historic Grammy Wins
Live at Vic’s arrives hot on the heels of two remarkable Grammy wins that have propelled Zuraitis into the spotlight. In 2024, she made history as the first independent artist to win the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album with How Love Begins, an album she both wrote and arranged entirely by herself. Then, in 2025, she shared the Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble with her longtime collaborator Dan Pugach for Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence, a heartfelt project inspired by their mutual passion for rescuing and fostering dogs.
An Ensemble That Elevates Every Moment
The power of Live at Vic’s is amplified by an exceptional ensemble handpicked by Zuraitis. Her longtime collaborators — guitarist Idan Morim, drummer Dan Pugach, and bassist Samuel Weber — form the core, with special guests adding distinctive colors: Keyon Harold on trumpet, Rachel Eckroth on organ, and legendary saxophonist Tom Scott.
Zuraitis’s arrangements create an electrifying platform that brings out the best in every musician, making each track an intricate, dynamic conversation. “It’s jazz. The magic of it is the improv,” she explains. “So the songs are 11 minutes, and everybody’s shredding. I wanted to make an album for people of songs that I adore. This feels like the pinnacle of my career to get onstage and go: This is what I sound like. Every single thing on this album is arranged by me or written by me. It’s all live, unedited. No auto tune. Everything is here.”
The Heart and Soul of Live at Vic’s
At its core, Live at Vic’s is a deeply personal and soulful journey through a setlist that reflects Zuraitis’s musical evolution. Starting her artistic path in opera and later teaching herself piano, Zuraitis’s style blossomed in the jazz clubs of New York City, where she experimented with rearranging pop songs and crafting new sounds. This fearless genre-blending is fully on display here — a testament to her belief that “good music is good music,” regardless of style.
She calls her songwriting approach the “modern songbook,” a contemporary take on timeless themes and emotions, all delivered through her unique voice. The album features a rich mix of jazz standards, pop reimaginings, and original compositions, illustrating her ability to move seamlessly between genres while remaining authentically herself.
Track Highlights
The album spans two discs and features extended, improvisational performances that breathe new life into beloved classics and originals alike. Highlights include:
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The soulful groove of Got My Mojo Working
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The intimate and tender Nearness of You
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The soaring 11-minute exploration in All Stars Point to You
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A heartfelt rendition of Jolene
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The jazz standard Round Midnight, stretched to an expansive 11 minutes of improvisation
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And the dynamic closer Sea Line Woman, an 11-minute deep dive into rhythmic interplay
A Live Jazz Experience Like No Other
Live at Vic’s is more than an album — it’s an invitation into the magic of live jazz, raw and unfiltered. Zuraitis’s refusal to rely on editing or autotune offers listeners an authentic connection to the artist’s craft, making this release a milestone in her already stellar career.
Jazz fans, and music lovers across genres, will find much to admire in Zuraitis’s fearless artistry and the spirited performances captured on this landmark album.
Tracklisting
Disc 1
Got My Mojo Working – 8:05
Nearness of You – 7:12
All Stars Point to You – 11:22
Pure Imagination – 5:50
Jolene – 8:50
Middle C – 5:40
Everything Must Change – 7:50
Reverie – 7:17
Disc 2
Rhiannon – 5:41
Round Midnight – 11:02
Wichita Lineman – 7:25
The Coffee Song – 4:30
Right in Front of Me – 5:15
Georgia on My Mind – 4:24
Sea Line Woman – 11:11
Do I Move You – 5:51
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