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Petra van Nuis (Paytra van Nouse) is a featured vocalist on the Chicago jazz scene. 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. Since relocating to Chicago in 2004 with her husband, guitarist Andy Brown, Petra has performed at such prominent venues as the Chicago Cultural Center, the Green Mill, Pops For Champagne, the Pump Room, Andy's Jazz Club, the Signature Lounge at the Hancock Tower, the Drake Hotel, Katerina's, Pete Miller's Steakhouse, Philander's, Club Z, and the M Lounge with such well-known Chicago musicians as Judy Roberts, Russ Phillips, Art Davis, Stewart Miller, Kim Cusak, Bob Ojeda, Bradley Williams, Doug Hayes, Dennis Luxion, Jim Cox, Bob Rummage, Dennis Carroll, Greg Fishman, Tom Hope, Kelly Sill, Larry Harris, George Fludas, Dan DeLorenzo, John Otto, and Rob Amster. Regionally, Petra has performed at Firefly Jazz Club (Ann Arbor, MI), West Michigan Jazz Society (Grand Rapids, MI), Saugatuck Center For The Arts (Saugatuck, MI), Richmond Jazz Festival (Richmond, IN), Tribute to Bix Festival (Racine, WI), Terra Blues (NYC), Ear Inn (NYC), Kavehaz (NYC), Swing 46 (NYC), Blue Wisp Jazz Club (Cincinnati, OH), Paccia Jazz Room (Dayton, OH), and Tim Sculy's "World Class Jazz Tour" of Western, MI for the past 3 summers. When in New York City, Petra plays with such renowned musicians as Dan Block, Murray Wall, and Kevin Dorn. |
