Samara Joy
{{short description|American jazz singer (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Samara Joy
| image = Samara Joy INNtöne 12.jpg
| alt = Joy singing into a microphone
| caption = Joy in 2022
| birth_name = Samara Joy McLendon
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|11|11}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|Bronx, New York, U.S.}}
| years_active = 2019–present
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| genre = {{hlist|Jazz|R&B|soul|gospel}}
| label = {{hlist|Verve|Whirlwind}}
| website = {{URL|https://samarajoy.com}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Emmet Cohen|Pasquale Grasso}}
}}
Samara Joy McLendon{{cite news |url= https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/samara-joy-s-new-album-drops-in-july/article_fbf1d1ff-458b-5f73-92db-76f72bcd00f8.html | title= Samara Joy's new album drops in July | first= Naeisha|last= Rose | newspaper=Queens Chronicle | date=20 May 2021 | access-date=27 April 2022}} (born November 11, 1999) is an American jazz singer. She released her self-titled debut album in 2021 and was subsequently named Best New Artist by JazzTimes.
Her second album, Linger Awhile (2022), reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.{{Cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=2023-02-13 |title=Samara Joy's 'Linger Awhile' Hits No. 1 on Multiple Billboard Charts After Best New Artist Grammy Win |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/samara-joys-linger-awhile-grammy-best-new-artist-tops-billboard-charts/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} She has received five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist in 2023, and two wins each for Best Jazz Vocal Album (2023 and 2025) and Best Jazz Performance (2024 and 2025).
Early life and education
A native of the Castle Hill{{cite web |first=Sheila Horne |last=Mason |title=The 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition – The SASSY Awards! |date=1 March 2020 |url=http://jazzpolice.com/archives/9981 |website=Jazz Police |access-date=13 June 2022}} neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City,{{cite web |url= https://www.jazzspeaks.org/jazz-speaks/craving-connection-samara-joy-speaks | title= Craving Connection: Samara Joy Speaks | first= Mira|last= Alpers | website=Jazzspeaks | date=12 July 2021 | access-date=27 April 2022}} Joy was born in 1999 into a musical family. Her paternal grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, were founders of Philadelphia gospel group The Savettes. Her grandfather, Elder Goldwire McLendon was also a finalist on season 3 of BET's Gospel Talent show Sunday Best. Her father—a vocalist and bass player who has toured with gospel musician Andraé Crouch{{cite web |first=Gary |last=Walker |title=Watch a charming set by Samara Joy and Pasquale Grasso, hosted by Gary Walker, at Yamaha Studio |date=18 March 2022 |url=https://www.wbgo.org/music/2022-03-18/watch-a-charming-set-by-samara-joy-and-pasquale-grasso-hosted-by-gary-walker-at-yamaha-studio |publisher=WBGO |access-date=27 April 2022}}{{cite news |url= https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/music/vocalist-samara-joy-seeks-to-spread-understanding-of-jazz-music/article_c146781d-e493-5ed7-ba64-1b8b648a3b83.html | title= Vocalist Samara Joy seeks to spread understanding of jazz music | first= Rita|last= Charleston | newspaper=The Philadelphia Tribune | date=29 January 2021 | access-date=27 April 2022}}—introduced her to gospel greats such as The Clark Sisters,{{cite magazine |url= https://www.ebony.com/entertainment/womens-history-month-meet-jazz-artist-samara-joy/ | title= Women's History Month: Meet Jazz Artist Samara Joy, the Voice of a New Generation | first= Jean-Pierre |last=Marcel | magazine=Ebony | date=4 March 2022 | access-date=27 April 2022}} and soul and Motown music.{{cite magazine |url= https://www.bigissue.com/culture/music/samara-joy-shows-the-great-american-songbook-still-matters/ | title= Samara Joy shows the Great American Songbook still matters | first= Anne |last=Frankenstein | magazine=The Big Issue | date=22 August 2021 | access-date=27 April 2022}} She attended Fordham High School for the Arts and performed in its jazz band. During this time, she won Best Vocalist at the Essentially Ellington festival, a high school competition hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center.{{cite web |url= https://www.purchase.edu/live/news/3636-meet-samara-mclendon | title= Meet Samara McLendon | publisher=Purchase College | access-date= April 27, 2022}}
She first encountered jazz in a meaningful way{{cite magazine |url= https://downbeat.com/news/detail/samara-joys-quest-for-new-tradition | title= Samara Joy's Quest for New Tradition |first= Ayana |last=Contreras | magazine=Downbeat | date=7 September 2021 | access-date=27 April 2022}} when she enrolled in the jazz program at SUNY's Purchase College as a voice major,{{cite web |first=Kevin|last= Whitehead |title=Newcomer Samara Joy Makes An Imposing Debut On Her Self-Titled Album |date=12 August 2021 |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/08/12/1027042961/newcomer-samara-joy-makes-an-imposing-debut-on-her-self-titled-album |website=NPR |access-date=27 April 2022}}{{cite web |url= https://www.wbgo.org/show/afternoon-jazz/2019-11-21/meet-samara-mclendon-on-afternoon-jazz-before-the-sarah-vaughan-vocal-competition | title= Meet Samara McLendon on Afternoon Jazz, Before the Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition |first= Keanna|last= Faircloth | publisher=WBGO | date=November 21, 2019 | access-date=13 June 2022}} and was named an Ella Fitzgerald Scholar.{{cite web |url= https://www.ellafitzgerald.com/scholars/#/ | title= INTRODUCING THE FOUNDATION'S ELLA FITZGERALD MEMORIAL SCHOLARS | website=ellafitzgerald.com | access-date=21 November 2022}} Friends there introduced her to the recordings of great jazz vocalists including Sarah Vaughan and Fitzgerald,{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/aug/07/samara-joy-debut-album-review-pasquale-grasso-sarah-vaughan | title= Samara Joy: Samara Joy review – classic American song in safe young hands | author-link= Dave Gelly |first=Dave|last=Gelly| newspaper=The Guardian | date= August 7, 2021 | access-date=27 April 2022}} and such instrumentalists as Kenny Washington, Jon Faddis (with whom she studied),{{cite news |url= https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/11/arts/holiday-cheer-samara-joy-with-her-own-twist-tradition/ | first= Jon |last=Garelick | title= Holiday cheer from Samara Joy, with her own twist on tradition | newspaper=Boston Globe | date=11 November 2022 | access-date=17 November 2022}} and Ingrid Jensen.
Career
In 2019, as Samara McLendon, she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.{{cite web |first=Adam|last= Sieff |title=Samara Joy: 'Samara Joy' |date=26 July 2021 |url=https://londonjazznews.com/2021/07/26/samara-joy-samara-joy/ |website=London Jazz News |access-date=27 April 2022}}{{cite web |url= https://www.wbgo.org/music/2019-11-25/samara-mclendon-wins-the-2019-sarah-vaughan-international-jazz-vocal-competition | title= Samara McLendon Wins the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition |first= Keanna |last=Faircloth | publisher=WBGO | date=25 November 2019 | access-date=6 June 2022}} Working with producer and eventual manager Matt Pierson, she recorded her self-titled debut album while still in college, graduating magna cum laude in 2021.{{cite web |title=Purchase College: Commencement 2021 |url=https://www.purchase.edu/live/files/4471-2021-commencement-program |website=purchase.edu |access-date=21 November 2022}}{{cite web |url= https://www.allaboutjazz.com/samara-joy-mclendon-ascension-into-jazz-samara-joy-mclendon | title= Samara Joy: Ascension Into Jazz | first= R.J. |last=DeLuke | website=All About Jazz | date=7 May 2021 | access-date=14 June 2022}} Samara Joy was released on July 9, 2021, on Whirlwind Recordings.{{cite web |url= https://www.baystatebanner.com/2021/06/16/samara-joy-voice-of-a-new-generation/ | title= Samara Joy — voice of a new generation | first= Scott|last= Haas | website=Bay State Banner | date=June 16, 2021 | access-date=27 April 2022}} Jazz Times named her Best New Artist for 2021.{{cite web |title=2021 JazzTimes Expanded Critics' Poll Results |date=April 27, 2022 |url=https://jazztimes.com/features/lists/2021-jazztimes-expanded-critics-poll-results/ |website=Jazz Times |access-date=13 June 2022}}{{cite web |first=Chloe|last= Rabinowitz |title=NJPAC Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month With Great Shows |date=21 February 2022 |url=https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles2/2022/02/21/njpac-celebrates-jazz-appreciation-month-with-great-shows/ |website=New Jersey Stage |access-date=13 June 2022}} In February 2021, she was featured in Women of Color on Broadway, Inc.'s music video of "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess.{{cite magazine |first=Felicia |last=Fitzpatrick |title=Go Behind the Scenes of Women of Color on Broadway's "Summertime" Music Video |date=15 February 2021 |url=https://playbill.com/article/go-behind-the-scenes-of-women-of-color-on-broadways-summertime-music-video |magazine=Playbill |access-date=13 June 2022}} In an interview, film director Regina King called her "a young woman who seems like Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald are both living in her body."{{cite web |first=Rebecca|last= Keegan |title=Director Roundtable: Regina King, Spike Lee, George Clooney and More Reflect on State of "Cinematic Experience" Amid Pandemic |date= January 13, 2021 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/director-roundtable-regina-king-spike-lee-george-clooney-and-more-reflect-on-state-of-cinematic-experience-amid-pandemic-4114967/ |website=Hollywood Reporter |access-date= April 27, 2022}}
She released a number of viral video performances, including one that had been viewed more than 1.5 million times as of October 2020.{{cite web |url= https://www.purchasenews.org/post/the-art-of-going-viral | first= Gabrielle|last= Bohrman | title= The Art of Going Viral | website=Purchase News | date=6 October 2020 | access-date= June 13, 2022}} These videos had as of November 2022 gained her 200,000 followers on TikTok.{{cite web |url= https://www.tiktok.com/@samarajoysings | publisher=TikTok | title=Samara Joy Sings | access-date=21 November 2022}} Partly on the strength of this success, she toured Europe, including a series of sold-out concerts in Italy and Austria. In 2021 and continuing into 2022, she toured the U.S.,{{cite web |url= https://www.capenews.net/arts_and_entertainment/jazz-vocalist-samara-joy-performs-at-west-falmouth-library/article_3a198556-bd91-5b2d-a92e-6342a4b6ecab.html | first= Jim |last=Harrington | title= Jazz Vocalist Samara Joy Performs At West Falmouth Library | website=Daily Republic | date=22 March 2022 | access-date=27 April 2022}}{{cite web |url= https://www.americanpianists.org/calendar/event/801-samara-joy-emmet-cohen-jazz-club-ferrara | first= Jim |last=Harrington | title= Emmet Cohen w/ Samara Joy Duo @ Jazz Club Ferrara | website=American Pianists | access-date=27 April 2022}} including bookings at the 2022 Monterey Jazz Festival,{{cite web |url= https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/wires/entertainment/monterey-jazz-festival-releases-2022-lineup/ | first= Jim |last=Harrington | title= Monterey Jazz Festival releases 2022 lineup | website=Daily Republic | date=11 April 2022 | access-date=27 April 2022}} Lincoln Center Summer For The City's Jazz Underground series,{{cite web |url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lincoln-Center-Summer-For-The-City-to-Present-Jazz-Underground-Featuring-Samara-Joy-and-More-20220603 | first= Chloe|last= Rabinowitz | title= Lincoln Center Summer For The City to Present Jazz Underground Featuring Samara Joy and More | website=Broadway World | date=3 June 2022 | access-date=13 June 2022}} Winter Jazzfest,{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/24/arts/music/winter-jazzfest.html | first= Giovanni |last=Russonello | title= Watch 5 Standout Performances From Winter Jazzfest | newspaper=The New York Times | date=24 January 2022 | access-date=13 June 2022}} and other festivals,{{cite web |url= https://www.registercitizen.com/entertainment/article/Litchfield-Jazz-Fest-July-29-31-lineup-announced-16987772.php | title= Litchfield Jazz Fest July 29–31 lineup announced | website=Daily Republic | date=9 March 2022 | access-date= June 13, 2022}}{{cite news |url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-hyde-park-jazz-festival-lineup-2022-20220613-43fhzrxcofhnvhulaqqd7cq6pi-story.html | title= Hyde Park Jazz Festival announces 2022 lineup featuring Charles McPherson Quintet, Qwanqwa and Hear in Now | newspaper=Chicago Tribune |first= Hannah|last= Edgar | date=13 June 2022 | access-date=13 June 2022}} as well as in Europe.
On February 15, 2022, she performed on Today with guitarist Pasquale Grasso{{cite web |first=Chloe |last=Rabinowitz |title=Samara Joy Performs On TODAY WITH HODA & JENNA |date=23 February 2022 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Samara-Joy-Performs-On-TODAY-WITH-HODA-JENNA-20220223 |website=Broadway World |access-date=27 April 2022}} and performed again on Today in September 2022.{{cite web |title=Samara Joy talks world tour, sings 'Can't Get Out of This Mood' |date=27 September 2022 |url=https://www.today.com/video/samara-joy-performs-single-can-t-get-out-of-this-mood-149357637575 |website=Today |access-date=21 November 2022}} On June 15, 2022, she was featured at Carnegie Hall's 16th Annual Notable Occasion.{{cite web |url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Samara-Joy-to-be-Featured-in-Carnegie-Halls-16th-Annual-Notable-Occasion-20220520 | first= Chloe |last=Rabinowitz | title= Samara Joy to be Featured in Carnegie Hall's 16th Annual Notable Occasion | website=Broadway World | date=20 May 2022 | access-date=13 June 2022}} and appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival.{{cite web |url= https://jazzbluesnews.com/2022/08/31/samara-joy-shines-at-2022-newport-jazz-festival-video-photos/ | first= David|last= Ackert | title= Samara Joy shines at 2022 Newport Jazz Festival: Video, Photos | website=Jazz Blues News | date=31 August 2022 | access-date=November 21, 2022}} She was featured on jazz pianist Julius Rodriguez's 2022 album Let Sound Tell All.{{cite news |first=Mike|last= Hobart |title=Julius Rodriguez: Let Sound Tell All — a wide-ranging debut |date=10 June 2022 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ccf4125c-a16a-4f87-b05c-4a6928b5f221 |newspaper=Financial Times |access-date=13 June 2022}}
On September 16, 2022, she released her second album, Linger Awhile, on Verve Records.{{cite web |url= https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/samara-joy-linger-awhile-verve/ | first= Veronica|last= Johnson | title= Samara Joy: Linger Awhile (Verve) | website=JazzTimes | date=20 October 2022 | access-date=17 November 2022}} The album features drummer Kenny Washington, guitarist Pasquale Grasso, pianist Ben Paterson, and bassist David Wong.{{cite web |url= https://www.jazzwise.com/review/samara-joy-linger-awhile | first= Peter|last= Quinn | title= Samara Joy: Linger Awhile | website=Jazzwise | access-date=17 November 2022}}{{cite web |url= https://londonjazznews.com/2022/09/21/samara-joy-linger-awhile/ | first= Veronica|last= Johnson | title= Samara Joy – 'Linger Awhile' | website=London Jazz News | date=21 September 2022 | access-date=17 November 2022}} Her bookings for Winter 2022 included singing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on its Big Band Holidays tour.{{cite magazine |title=Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Dianne Reeves with Samara Joy: Big Band Holidays |url=https://raleighmag.com/events/jazz-at-lincoln-center-orchestra-featuring-dianne-reeves-with-samara-joy-big-band-holidays/ |magazine=Raleigh Magazine |access-date=17 November 2022}}{{cite news |title=Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra ft. Dianne Reeves w/ Samara Joy |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/music/jazz-at-lincoln-center-orchestra-ft-dianne-reeves-w-samara-joy-2981153/ |newspaper=Austin Chronicle |access-date=17 November 2022}}
She was nominated and won two awards at the Grammy Awards in 2023:{{cite web |title=SAMARA JOY VERVE RECORDS DEBUT EARNS 2 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS |date=15 November 2022 |url=https://www.musicconnection.com/samara-joy-signs-to-verve-records/ |website=Music Connection |access-date=17 November 2022}} Best Jazz Vocal Album for Linger Awhile and Best New Artist.[https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/15/entertainment/grammy-nominations-2023/index.html Grammy Nominations], CNN, November 15, 2022.
Discography
{{main|Samara Joy discography}}
;Studio albums
- Samara Joy (2021){{cite web |url= https://www.baystatebanner.com/2021/06/16/samara-joy-voice-of-a-new-generation/ | title= Samara Joy — voice of a new generation | first= Scott|last= Haas | website=Bay State Banner | date=June 16, 2021 | access-date=27 April 2022}}
- Linger Awhile (2022)
- Portrait (2024)
Awards and honors
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.samarajoy.com/}}
- [https://www.discogs.com/artist/5482718-Samara-Joy Samara Joy] on Discogs
{{Grammy Award for Best New Artist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joy, Samara}}
Category:21st-century American singers
Category:21st-century American women singers
Category:African-American women singers
Category:American jazz singers
Category:American women jazz singers
Category:Musicians from the Bronx
Category:Jazz musicians from New York City
Category:Verve Records artists
Category:Whirlwind Recordings artists
Category:Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winners