Petra van Nuis (Paytra van Nouse) is a jazz vocalist based in Chicago since 2004. Inspired by such greats as Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, Lucy Ann Polk, Chet Baker, Shirley Horn, and Doris Day (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. Groups: ~Petra van Nuis/Andy Brown voice/guitar jazz duo ~Petra's Recession Seven - featuring 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 ~Petra van Nuis/Larry Harris voice/piano duo Festival appearences: ~Chicago Jazz Festival (Chicago, IL) ~Joe Boughton's Chautauqua Jazz Party (Chautauqua, NY) ~Cedar Basin Jazz Festival (Cedar Falls, IA) ~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) ~Woodstock Jazz Festival (Woodstock, IL) ~Richmond Jazz Festival (Richmond, IN) Chicagoland 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) ~Maxim's (Chicago, IL) ~Pump Room (Chicago, IL) ~Andy's Jazz Club (Chicago, IL) ~Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz (Chicago Ridge, IL) ~Brookfield Jazz Society (Brookfield, IL) ~Sanfilippo Estate Place de la Musique (Barrington, IL) ~Mc Aninch Arts Center (Glen Ellyn, IL) ~Jazzin at the Shedd (Chicago, IL) ~International Association For Jazz Record Collectors Conference International Clubs/Theatres/Jazz Societies: ~Le Pirate (Germany) ~Jazzhaus Heidelberg (Germany) ~Musichaus Birklehof (Germany) ~Jazz Club Neustadt (Germany) ~Jazzclub 77 Weisloch (Germany) ~Stichting Jazz Zevenbergen (Netherlands) ~Jazz Cafe Hopper (Belgium) ~Yardbird Suite (Canada) ~Lethbridge Jazz Society (Canada) ~Wine-Ohs (Canada) Regional Clubs/Theatres/Jazz Societies: ~Terra Blues (NYC) ~Ear Inn (NYC) ~Kavehaz (NYC) ~Swing 46 (NYC) ~New Jersey Jazz Society (Madison, NJ) ~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 7 summers ~Detroit Institute Of Arts (Detroit, MI) ~Polyrhythms (Davenport, IA) ~Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts (Brookfield, WI) ~Madison Jazz Society (Madison, WI) ~Indianapolis Jazz Club (Indianapolis, IN) ~Night Town (Cleveland, OH) ~Shanghai Jazz (Madison, NJ) ~Blue Wisp Jazz Club (Cincinnati, OH) ~University of Cincinnati Raymond Walters College (Blue Ash, OH) Musicians played with: ~Paul Asaro ~Tom Bartlett ~Dan Block ~Andy Brown ~Joe Cohn ~Kim Cusack ~Art Davis ~Dan DeLorenzo ~Ron Dewar ~Kevin Dorn ~Greg Fishman ~Phil Gratteau ~Larry Harris ~Doug Hayes ~Tom Hope ~Jeff Hufnagle ~Jeremy Kahn ~Jim Leslie ~Bobby Lewis ~Dennis Luxion ~Paul Meyers ~Stewart Miller ~Bob Ojeda ~John Otto ~Russ Phillips ~Joe Policastro ~Kenny Poole ~Judy Roberts ~Bob Rummage ~Steve Schmidt ~Eric Schneider ~Andy Schumm ~Don Stiernberg ~John von Ohlen ~Murray Wall ~Bradley Williams ~Wayne Yeager