Samara Joy

Overview

A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cuther teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. And while her family history is deeplymusical—her grandparents helmed the Philadelphia gospel group the Savettes, andher father, the musician and songwriter Antonio McLendon, has produced, composedand arranged his own astounding original work—she didn’t delve into the jazz traditionuntil college at SUNY Purchase. During her studies there she won the 2019 SarahVaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, which introduced her to the larger jazzscene as a rising star to watch. She was heard, by audiences and critics alike, as amasterful interpreter of jazz standards and a rightful heiress of the sound, technique andcharisma that defined her jazz heroines—including Vaughan, Betty Carter, AbbeyLincoln and Carmen McRae.

Joy released her self-titled debut on the Whirlwind label in 2021, followed a year later byLinger Awhile, her breakout Verve debut, of whichDownBeatsaid, “With this beautifulrecording, a silky-voiced star is born.” The album earned her a Grammy for Best JazzVocal Album in addition to a headline-making win for Best New Artist. A deluxe editionof the album was released, as well as the EPA Joyful Holiday.Her new Verve album,Portrait, which Joy co-produced with the veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, showcases the intimate, soulful chemistry she’sdeveloped with her touring band.Portraitalso spotlights her burgeoning gifts as alyricist, in ingenious arrangements that meld her thoughtful words with music by CharlesMingus, Sun Ra and her late mentor Barry Harris