Zagreb Jazz Festival Welcomes Grammy Winner Nicole Zuraitis
A Grammy Voice at Kerempuh
Nicole Zuraitis, the 2024 Grammy winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album, brought both emotional depth and stylistic versatility to the stage of Kerempuh Theatre as part of the 16th Zagreb Jazz Festival. Performing with a seasoned quartet—Idan Morim on guitar, Sam Weber on bass, and her husband Dan Pugach on drums—Zuraitis delivered a confident and polished concert that revealed not only her artistry but the strength of a band that clearly plays together regularly.
From the very first notes, it was evident that this ensemble shares a deep musical rapport. The group accompanied Zuraitis with sensitivity and balance, providing a dynamic but never overpowering foundation that allowed her to fully explore the emotional and interpretive range of each song. At the same time, Zuraitis gave space to each band member to shine on their own terms, highlighting their individuality without disrupting the cohesion of the set. The result was a performance that felt organic, intimate, and richly collaborative.
Crossing Genres with Confidence
The concert opened with The Good Ways, the first track from her 2024 Grammy-winning album How Love Begins. Zuraitis began the tune center-stage, before moving to the piano—an instrument she plays with confident ease, despite being self-taught.
From the outset, the band made it clear that genre boundaries would be fluid. They moved smoothly between swing, Latin grooves, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and singer-songwriter territory. Most of the material came from How Love Begins, but the setlist also included jazz standards such as The Nearness of You in a tasteful medium swing, and a soulful version of Georgia.
A standout moment was the reinterpretation of Dolly Parton’s Jolene. Zuraitis gave context to the song, sharing its personal meaning—it was a favorite of her mother, and later arranged by Pugach for big band, earning them both a Grammy nomination in 2019. The performance was emotionally resonant and musically dynamic, with strong solos and a well-constructed return to the verse.
Another memorable highlight was Everything Must Change, which began as a delicate voice-and-guitar duo between Zuraitis and Morim. The piece gradually expanded in texture as bass and drums entered, building toward a surprise riff and a climactic blend of vocalise and a fiery drum solo from Pugach.
Stories, Humor, and Heart
Guitarist Idan Morim was a key presence throughout the night, contributing sensitive comping and lyrical solos. The interplay between him and Zuraitis was especially effective on Everything Must Change, which began as a voice-and-guitar duo before gradually expanding in texture and intensity, climaxing with Zuraitis’ vocalise and a compelling drum solo by Pugach.
Zuraitis’ connection with the audience was natural and warm. She shared personal stories and humorous anecdotes, including her years working as a nanny while building her career, while Pugach worked as a barista. That period inspired The Coffee Song (I Like You a Latte)—a playful, catchy tune that turned into a singalong with the audience.
A Strong Finish and Well-Deserved Encore
The evening closed with a blues encore, once again demonstrating the band’s stylistic versatility and Zuraitis’ ability to adapt like a musical chameleon. Her vocal range, stage presence, and storytelling drew a strong response from the audience, who left visibly moved and musically satisfied.
Nicole Zuraitis and her group delivered a rich, genre-crossing performance that confirmed her place among the most expressive and engaging jazz vocalists of her generation.