NYC’s unique jazz prayer service, Sundays at 5 since 1965. All are welcome. Free to attend!

ABOUT NICOLE ZURAITIS (voice)

A Grammy-nominated musician and vocal chameleon, New York-based bandleader and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal Nicole Zuraitis continues to establish herself as an undeniable force in the modern jazz landscape of both NYC and beyond. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police) Nicole’s effervescent personality and boundless enthusiasm for sharing the joy of music keep her audiences thrilled.

Nicole is the premier vocalist for both the Birdland Big Band and the Dan Pugach Nonet and headlines iconic NYC jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle and the late, great 55 bar. Her co-produced collaboration “How Love Begins” with bassist and 8x Grammy Award winner Christian McBride is set to release July 7th, 2023, featuring all-original compositions and the talents of some of the jazz world’s best. She has appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony and other noted pops orchestras, as well as supported with piano and vocals iconic singers such as Morgan James and Darren Criss. Nicole regularly plays Birdland, The Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Carlyle, 54 Below, and 55 Bar in New York City. As a recording artist, Nicole has released four albums as leader, including 2020’s All Wandering Hearts on Dot Time Records. She is also a member of the modern jazz super group Ryan Keberle and Catharsis, as well as SONICA with Thana Alexa and Julia Adamy.

In 2019, Nicole was nominated for a GRAMMY alongside her husband, renowned drummer and bandleader Dan Pugach, for their arrangement and performance of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” In recognition of her talents, Nicole has won a litany of other awards, including the New York City Songwriting Competition Coffee Music Project , the Herb Alpert ASCAP Young Composer Award, and the Gold Medal, Ben Tucker Jazz Award, People’s Choice, and Johnny Mercer Award in the National American Traditions Vocal Competition and the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. In 2020, Forbes Magazine featured Nicole’s pandemic pivot project, “Virtual Piano Lounge Plus One” and was featured in the Connecticut Magazine 2020 “40 under 40” list.

ABOUT DANIEL KELLY (piano)

An artist who has been called “stunningly original” with “a visionary imagination,” composer and pianist Daniel Kelly explores the meeting place of music with literature, visual art and journalism, captivating audiences across the country. A prolific composer and tireless musical explorer, Kelly continually seeks out new avenues for his creativity.

All the World’s a Song: Shakespeare in Jazz is Kelly’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s works into fresh and dynamic jazz songs that have audiences singing along in sheer delight. Blind Visionaries is his stunning multi-media collaboration with the pioneering group of visually impaired photographers, the Seeing with Photography Collective.

Rakonto, Kelly’s massive ongoing series of interview-based concerts, have been commissioned by performing arts centers across the US. Each of these twelve concert-length works have transformed stories everyday people, like farmers, teachers, students, immigrants, hurricane survivors, seniors and many others from ages 4 to 94, into dramatic and compelling music that celebrates our shared human experience. Audiences around the country have been deeply moved by Kelly’s innovative joining of journalism and music that seamlessly blends recorded interviews with compelling, original compositions performed by his band of world-class musicians.

Making connections is one of Kelly’s strengths, whether it’s exploring connections between art forms or connecting with audiences. Gifted with an uncanny ear for music and story, it’s his deep sense of empathy and humanity that impacts audiences the most, making performances uplifting and emotional experiences.

Kelly’s music has been declared “powerfully moving” by Time Out New York, and he has brought his unique talent to performances with Grammy award-winning jazz legends Michael Brecker and Joe Lovano, hip-hop star Lauryn Hill, and modern classical giants the Bang on a Can All-Stars, to name a few.