08.11.2021 Virtual Talent Showcase - Artist Profiles
JOE BLEICHER
From New York, Joe Bleicher came to Connecticut via California and Massachusetts. He now lives in West Hartford. Joe is a former host of Folk ‘on Fridays at Cheney Hall and The Living Space of West Hartford.
CALENDULA
Calendula is a singer-songwriter based in northeast Connecticut. Her nostalgia for past homes, daydreamed futures, and distant loved-ones fuels her folk-inspired melodies. She released her first EP, New Horizons, in the fall of 2020, and is set to release a new single this summer.
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calendula_music/
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalendulaRecords
Follow her on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDsoFsUh-j_69lFXeShL6CQ
Listen online: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/calendula/new-horizons-ep
TOM CARAHER & JOSÉ VÉLEZ OTERO
Tom and José collaborate on writing, recording, and performing across a wide spectrum of music. They have been playing together for 18 years in Connecticut.
Dr. Vélez is originally from Puerto Rico and brings a rich background of Latin rhythms and music from the Island. José is an accomplished guitarist, singer and percussionist.
Tom Caraher is from Chicago and although classically trained brings strong influences from the Chicago rock bands of the 60s and 70s. Tom currently plays with the West Hartford Symphony.
They are presenting the song entitled “Wishing Well” this month:
Music produced by Tom & José can be found on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz8LGvyhsyp0jxbG5MK-z9w and Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/tomcarahermusic/
“SOOP” (Seat Of Our Pants)
Seat Of Our Pants (SOOP) is happy to be back, virtually, at The Packing House, and Carolyn, Jeff, Mark, and Mike hope to appear there live again soon. Although 2020 was a quiet year for them, with limited opportunity for concerts, their music received international attention with an award winning music video, and Carolyn's pandemic song that literally went viral. Check out their web site and Youtube channel to see and hear more. https://seatofourpantsmusic.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/SeatOfOurPantsMusic/videos
DAVID STAMPS
Singer/guitar/sometimes song writer - David retired from the University of Oklahoma after 17 years. He wrote and produced educational videos for a variety of public service departments within the College of Continuing Education. He spent 10 years in western MA, but spent most of his life in Oklahoma City. He is now living in Willington, CT
NICOLE ZURAITIS
Grammy® nominated Nicole Zuraitis is a New York-based vocalist, pianist, and songwriter who took home the Gold Medal and Ben Tucker Jazz Award in the 2021 American Traditions Competition. The musical chameleon brings her signature warmth and outstanding vocals to various genres and styles, as demonstrated on her newest multi-hyphenate album, All Wandering Hearts (DotTime Records). As a bandleader, a recording artist, and the premiere vocalist of the world-famous Birdland Big Band and Dan Pugach Nonet, Nicole has established herself as a staple on the New York City jazz scene and has made a significant mark on the global modern jazz landscape.
In 2019, Nicole's career blossomed when she and her husband, renowned drummer and bandleader Dan Pugach, were dually nominated for a Grammy® for their arrangement of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Nicole graces the stages at both the iconic Birdland Jazz Club and Greenwich Village's 55 Bar monthly. Before Covid, she toured extensively nationally and internationally. She was named in the top 40 under 40 for 2020 in Connecticut Magazine, and her weekly live stream during the Covid 19 crisis "Virtual Piano Lounge" was featured in Forbes in October 2020.
Nicole's critically acclaimed 2018 release, Hive Mind (Dot Time Records), earned the title of 'Best Jazz Album' in the 2018 International Music and Entertainment Awards. She was a finalist in the International Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition and her original composition "The Coffee Song" won the New York City Coffee Music Project Songwriting Competition. Zuraitis has assembled an all-star female ensemble to record her project Generations of Her - Women Songwriters and Lyricists of the Last 100 Years while working diligently on her sixth album as a leader.
Nicole has collaborated with such luminaries as Cyrille Aimee, Thana Alexa, Dave Stryker, Livingston Taylor, Tom Chapin, Omar Hakim, Melanie Safka, Helen Sung, and Bernard Purdie. She is a proud educator and teaches jazz and songwriting worldwide, with highlights including Berklee College of Music, NYU, SAM in India, The Australian Embassy, and the Lithuanian Consulate. Nicole is currently pursuing her Masters of Business Administration from LSUS and loves to rescue and rehabilitate pit bulls with her husband, Dan. For more information, visit www.nicolezmusic.com.
Nicole has submitted "Dreams"/Van Halen performed by Dan Pugach Big Band + Nicole Zuraitis for this July 2021 Virtual Talent Showcase.
EC-CHAP presents “An Evening with Nicole Zuraitis” A Holiday Theme Performance at The packing House December 18, 2021. Tickets available at: http://thepackinghouse.us/upcoming/2021/12/18-ec-chap-jazz-series-nicole-zuraitis