Samara Joy’s Portrait marks a defining moment blending jazz standards with fresh interpretations, and cements her place as Gen Z’s breakout jazz vocal star with a voice admired by legends and millions alike.
Samara Joy's journey from the streets of Castle Hill to the hallowed halls of Van Gelder Studios in February 2024 marks a pivotal moment in her young career. Her latest album, Portrait, serves as both an homage to jazz standards and a testament to the vibrant community she's forged with her touring ensemble.
Already a three-time Grammy winner with a chart-topping debut album, Samara stands poised to join the ranks of jazz legends like Sarah, Ella, and Billie. Her voice, described as rich and velvety yet remarkably refined, has garnered admiration from icons like Anita Baker and Regina King. With appearances on major shows and millions of TikTok followers, Joy has solidified her status as the first Gen Z jazz vocal star. The New York Times hails her as a "silky-voiced rising star," while NPR All Things Considered celebrates her as a "classic jazz singer from a new generation."
Joy's musical lineage is steeped in gospel and jazz, tracing back through generations of talent including her grandparents Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, and her father, a vocalist and bassist who toured with gospel legend Andraé Crouch. Despite her youth, Joy's deep connection to jazz is palpable. "I think people connect with the authenticity," she reflects. "It's not an act; it's who I am."
Her exporation of jazz began at Fordham High School for the Arts, where she was awarded Best Vocalist at Jazz at Lincoln Center's prestigious Essentially Ellington competition. As a valedictorian graduate and Ella Fitzgerald Scholar from SUNY Purchase, Samara's star continued to rise, culminating in her 2019 victory at the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Her self-titled debut album on Whirlwind Recordings laid a solid foundation for her subsequent leap to Verve.
On Linger Awhile, her debut with Verve, Samara effortlessly worked with jazz luminaries like guitarist Pasquale Grasso and drummer Kenny Washington to deliver nuanced interpretations of timeless classics like "Misty," "Sweet Pumpkin," and "Someone To Watch Over Me." Her holiday EP, A Joyful Holiday, showcased her versatility with festive classics and original compositions, while her single, "Why I'm Here," featured in the Netflix film Shirley, further expanded her artistic footprint while crossing genre boundaries with ease.
As Samara Joy continues to captivate audiences globally, she remains humble, recognizing that her journey has only just begun. "I'm still learning," she admits. "This is just the start; there's so much more ahead."