Petra van Nuis is a Chicago-based jazz vocalist whom Bruce Crowther described as “an exceptionally gifted singer with a light yet subtly textured sound” who “is always delightfully melodic.” Born in Cincinnati, she was first exposed to music through her father Pieter van Nuis, a Dutch classical pianist and piano technician and inventor for Baldwin Piano and Organ Company.
She made her professional debut aged 11 with the Cincinnati Opera Company and at age 12 she did her first national tour. She studied ballet and later received a BFA in musical theatre at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. On graduating, she spent a couple of years in regional theatre and on national tours including A Chorus Line. She also danced in the Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular.
Then, in 1999, aged 24, Petra hung up her dancing shoes and followed her heart into jazz singing. In 2001, Petra and her husband, guitarist Andy Brown, moved from Cincinnati to New York City. There, she was encouraged by singers Marion Cowings and Barbara Lea. In 2003, Petra moved in Chicago where she was mentored by vocalist Jeannie Lambert, Judy Roberts and Marc Pompe, who continue to inspire her. Her 2019 album Because We’re Night People was included in Downbeat‘s top-rated albums of 2019 list.
What makes a lyric worth singing?
For me it’s not an analytical decision, just a gut reaction. It’s almost like meeting various people at a party. Sometimes something just clicks. The reason to keep talking to someone might be that they are deep and intriguing, or I might want to chat with someone because they are witty and are making me laugh. It’s the same with lyrics and I often think of some songs almost like friends. To use some examples from my recent album, a song like The Windmills Of Your Mind hits me emotionally because it speaks to the mystery of human existence and the cycles we all repeat over and over. A lyric like I Wish I Were In Love Again is just plain hilarious and an example of Lorenz Hart’s creative genius as he tackles the desire to stay in a romantic relationship even with the pitfalls. A song like Help Me Make It Through The Night has a desperate quality that I find captivating.
Do you have a ‘personal songbook’ in the sense that some songwriters automatically qualify as worthwhile?
When I was younger, I spent a lot of time learning tons of tunes (many of which are on the obscure side) and because of this many people think of me as a tunesmith. These days I have less and less time, so when I learn a new tune, I really have to prioritise. I have a long, long wish list. The tunes I end up learning have to be worth the time, but there aren’t any specific songwriters that “automatically qualify.” It is more about the individual tune striking me in that moment than the songwriter, but some songwriters are just so amazing that anything they write is usually worth the time. For example, any lyrics by the Bergmans or Johnny Mercer or Cole Porter will most likely be worth the time.
I mostly listen to singers who are long gone and who sing in what I can only explain as a ‘classic’ style not touched by a ‘rock’ or ‘pop’ influence
Do you hold any firm opinions on which songwriters’ work could be adapted for jazz treatment?
I don’t adapt many songs to have a jazz treatment because I don’t have to. I usually sing older songs from the 1920s to 50s, so they are already presented in a jazz-like setting in the versions I hear of them. I genuinely adore the older styles of singing, so most everything I listen to is done by jazz-influenced singers. Aside from a few mentors I was inspired by in various towns I’ve lived in, I mostly listen to singers who are long gone and who sing in what I can only explain as a “classic” style not touched by a “rock” or “pop” influence.
Given the widely held opinion that many 21st-century songs are less literate than songs produced in some “golden age”, do you feel that late 20th-century songs by the likes of Laura Nyro and Jimmy Webb represent the last gasp of that age, and if so, would you consider covering them?
I’m not familiar with Laura Nyro or Jimmy Webb. I’ll have to do some research. On my most recent album, From Me To You, in addition to my classic fare by the classic songwriters, on a few tunes I stretch into more modern territory, which is new for me. I laugh ’cause even my most contemporary material is from the 70s so it’s 50 years old. I was inspired to learn Rainy Days And Mondays not because of Karen Carpenter, but because I heard it sung by Dutch jazz singer Ann Burton. I had heard the Carpenter’s version over the years, but had no connection with it. Ann Burton gave it the “jazz treatment” you refer to in your previous question, so when I heard it like that, it spoke to me. I’m open to anything though. If I hear a wonderful song, I must become friends with it!
Petra van Nuis records reviewed by JJ
Petra Van Nuis & Andy Brown: I Remember Julie
Petra Van Nuis & Dennis Luxion: Because We’re Night People
