From Harold Arlen to Nicole Zuraitis: celebrating the enduring power of song and the artists shaping its future.
When we think of the Great American Songbook, names such as Harold Arlen, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Duke Ellington immediately come to mind. Their songs have endured for generations because they spoke to universal human experiences—love, heartbreak, hope, joy, resilience, and the complexities of life.
Nearly a century later, a question remains:
Who is writing the songs that future generations will sing?
It is a question that Grammy-winning vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger Nicole Zuraitis has embraced with remarkable passion and purpose.
In fact, Nicole often refers to her work as contributing to what she calls the Modern Songbook—a body of original music that honors the storytelling tradition of the Great American Songbook while speaking directly to contemporary life. Rather than relying solely on the interpretation of classic standards, she has chosen the more challenging path: creating new songs that aspire to stand alongside them.
That commitment reached a milestone in 2024 when her album How Love Begins won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. What makes that achievement especially remarkable is that the album consists entirely of original songs written and arranged by Zuraitis herself. In doing so, she became the first artist ever to win the award with a project fully written and arranged by the artist.
For those of us who cherish the Great American Songbook, that accomplishment carries special meaning.
The Songbook did not become great because artists endlessly repeated existing songs. It became great because songwriters continued creating new music that reflected their times. Harold Arlen did not set out to preserve a tradition. He helped create one.
Today, Nicole Zuraitis is doing something similar.
Her Grammy-winning album How Love Begins, co-produced with jazz legend Christian McBride, explores the realities of modern relationships through a collection of original compositions that are deeply personal, emotionally honest, and musically sophisticated. Critics praised the project not only for her extraordinary vocals and piano playing, but also for her gifts as a songwriter capable of capturing the emotional landscape of contemporary life.
What makes her work especially compelling is that she understands that songs matter.
A great song has the power to outlive its creator. It can become part of our lives, our memories, and our shared cultural experience.
That is precisely why the Modern Songbook movement matters.
Jazz has always balanced tradition with innovation. The music honors its past while continually seeking new voices and new stories. Artists like Nicole Zuraitis remind us that the future of jazz is not only found in preserving the classics but also in creating the standards of tomorrow.
To understand why Nicole Zuraitis has emerged as one of the leading voices of the Modern Songbook movement, take a moment to experience Burn from her Grammy-winning album How Love Begins. Written, arranged, and performed by Zuraitis, the song offers a glimpse into the artistry that is helping shape the future of jazz songwriting.
Video: Nicole Zuraitis – Burn
Today, Nicole stands among a generation of artists helping to lead that effort. As a Grammy-winning vocalist, pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator, she has emerged as one of the most important creative voices in jazz. Her work is redefining what vocal jazz songwriting can be while inspiring audiences and fellow musicians alike.
For Buffalo audiences, Nicole Zuraitis’ appearance at Jazz at Kleinhans on Sunday, November 8, offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the most important creative voices in jazz today. While many artists interpret the Great American Songbook, Nicole is helping write its next chapter.
As we continue celebrating the enduring legacy of Buffalo’s own Harold Arlen and the timeless songs that have shaped generations, it is equally exciting to welcome an artist whose music reminds us that great songs are still being written.
The Great American Songbook isn’t merely history.
It’s also the future.
At Jazz at Kleinhans, we believe both deserve to be celebrated.
The new 2026-2027 season reflects that belief. It begins with Nicole Zuraitis, whose original music is helping define the Modern Songbook. It continues with artists who honor the rich traditions of jazz and the Great American Songbook while bringing their own voices, interpretations, and artistry to the music we cherish.
We invite you to become part of this journey.
Nicole Zuraitis opens the Jazz at Kleinhans 2026–2027 season on Sunday, November 8, and is included in the specially priced Jazz at Kleinhans 4-Concert Package, available through July 13.
Reserve the same seats for all four concerts here:
Join a growing community that celebrates the songs that have shaped our lives—and the artists who are shaping the songs of tomorrow.
Nicole Zuraitis
Opening Concert of the Jazz at Kleinhans 2026–2027 Season
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Jazz at Kleinhans
The Sound of Jazz. The Power of Song. The Pride of Buffalo.
