EC-CHAP BOARD MEMBER NICOLE ZURAITIS WINS GRAMMY FOR BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM!
Waterbury native wins Grammy for jazz album
by: Kathryn Hauser
Posted: Feb 5, 2024 / 09:03 PM EST
Updated: Feb 5, 2024 / 09:03 PM EST
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — A Waterbury native is now a Grammy Award winner!
Nicole Zuraitis, a jazz singer and songwriter won her first Grammy — “Best Vocal Jazz Album” on Sunday night for her album “How Love Begins”.
“When I get on stage, that’s where I want to be, I feel the most confident, that’s where I feel to most at ease,” Zuraitis said. “I love making the audience feel happy too – but it was out of body, when they called my name because I did not see it coming.”
The 39-year-old said the moment she won made her finally feel seen as an artist. “I was sitting back in my chair thinking what an honor to be here, then when they said my name I was like what?” Zuraitis said. “I think I died and went to heaven, and I came back. Everyone was like man, you are shaking like a leaf.”
This marks Zuraitis’s second Grammy nomination. For over 15 years, Zuraitis has been singing jazz and has made multiple appearances on News 8’s Nyberg segment. “I’ve been in the industry a long time, you know. I’ve made a lot of wonderful friends and connections and colleagues and peers,” Zuraitis said. “This award is industry given – and so I feel like the industry is finally saying okay, now’s your time Nicole.”
Jazz singer-songwriter Nicole Zuraitis lifted the trophy for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the currently ongoing 66th edition Grammy Awards. She won the honour for her album ‘How Love Begins’.
The Recording Academy took to its official handle on micro-blogging site X and congratulated the winner. They wrote, “Congrats Best Jazz Vocal Album winner - 'How Love Begins' @nicolezmusic . #GRAMMYs”.
Zuraitis defeated fellow nominees Patti Austin and Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, Fred Hersch & Esperanza, Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke, and Cecile McLorin Salvant.
Nicole’s album is a collection of original songs.
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