Petra van Nuis (Paytra van Nouse) is a jazz vocalist based in Chicago since 2004. Inspired by such greats as Peggy Lee, Chris Connor, Lucy Ann Polk, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, and Beverly Kenney (just to name a few!), she opts for a straightforward swinging delivery with an emphasis on feeling. Relying only on the deep belief in the music she sings, her approach is simple and without affectation. Her warm intimate sound has just a touch of breathiness. Petra is a true romantic and the timeless music of the Great American Songbook is what inspires her creatively. She enjoys unearthing obscure songs and her extensive repertoire is both impressive and unique. While steeped in tradition, Petra expresses her originality in the best sense of the word, by being true to herself. This sincerity is felt by audiences and musicians alike. Petra is a musicians' singer who would rather focus on the music than on the spotlight. Wherever she sings, Petra connects with people.
Current projects:
~Petra van Nuis/Andy Brown voice/guitar jazz duo
~Petra's Recession Seven - a Chicago-Style traditional jazz band featuring Petra singing with
Kim Cusack (clarinet), Art Davis (trumpet), Russ Phillips (trombone), Andy Brown (guitar),
Joe Policastro (bass),and Bob Rummage (drums)
~Petra van Nuis trio & quartet featuring guitarist Andy Brown
Festival appearences:
~Joe Boughton's Chautauqua Jazz Party (Chautauqua, NY)
~Gorinchem Jazz Festival – Holland’s oldest jazz festival (Gorinchem, Netherlands)
~Tribute to Bix Festival (Racine, WI)
~American Music Festival at Fitzgerald's Night Club (Berwyn, IL)
~Richmond Jazz Festival (Richmond, IN)
Clubs/Theatres/Jazz Societies:
~Chicago Cultural Center (Chicago, IL)
~Green Mill (Chicago, IL)
~Pops For Champagne (Chicago, IL)
~Katerina's (Chicago, IL)
~Fitzgerald's (Berwyn, IL)
~Jazz Showcase (Chicago, IL)
~Pump Room (Chicago, IL)
~Andy's Jazz Club (Chicago, IL)
~Jazz Hopper (Antwerp, Belgium)
~Terra Blues (NYC)
~Ear Inn (NYC)
~Kavehaz (NYC)
~Swing 46 (NYC)
~Firefly Jazz Club (Ann Arbor, MI)
~West Michigan Jazz Society (Grand Rapids, MI)
~Saugatuck Center For The Arts (Saugatuck, MI)
~Tim Sculy's "World Class Jazz Tour" of western Michigan for the past 4 summers
~Night Town (Cleveland, OH)
~Blue Wisp Jazz Club (Cincinnati, OH)
~University of Cincinnati Raymond Walters College (Blue Ash, OH)
~Paccia Jazz Room (Dayton, OH)
Musicians played with:
~Paul Asaro
~Dan Block
~Andy Brown
~Dennis Carroll
~Joe Cohn
~Kim Cusack
~Art Davis
~Kevin Dorn
~Greg Fishman
~George Fludas
~Larry Harris
~Tom Hope
~Jeremy Kahn
~Dennis Luxion
~Paul Meyers
~Bob Ojeda
~John Otto
~Russ Phillips
~Kenny Poole
~Judy Roberts
~Bob Rummage
~Steve Schmidt
~Eric Schneider
~John von Ohlen
~Murray Wall
~Bradley Williams
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