Samara Joy

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Samara Joy
R&B, gospel
Years active2019–present
Labels
Websitesamarajoy.com

Samara Joy McLendon[1] (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,

Jazz Albums chart.[2] At the 2023 Grammy Awards, she won the awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best New Artist. Her 2023 single "Tight" won Best Jazz Performance at the following ceremony
.

Early life and education

A native of the Castle Hill[3] neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City,[4] 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[5][6]—introduced her to gospel greats such as The Clark Sisters,[7] and soul and Motown music.[8] She attended Fordham High School for the Arts and performed in its jazz band.[9] During this time, she won Best Vocalist at the Essentially Ellington festival, a high school competition hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center.[9][6]

She first encountered jazz in a meaningful way

Purchase College as a voice major,[11][12] and was named an Ella Fitzgerald Scholar.[13] Friends there introduced her to the recordings of great jazz vocalists including Sarah Vaughan and Fitzgerald,[14] and such instrumentalists as Kenny Washington, Jon Faddis (with whom she studied),[15] and Ingrid Jensen.[12]

Career

In 2019, as Samara McLendon, she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.[16][17] Working with producer and eventual manager Matt Pierson, she recorded her self-titled debut album while still in college,[11] graduating magna cum laude in 2021.[18][19] Samara Joy was released on July 9, 2021, on Whirlwind Recordings.[20] Jazz Times named her Best New Artist for 2021.[21][22] In February 2021, she was featured in Women of Color on Broadway, Inc.'s music video of "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess.[23] 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."[24]

She released a number of viral video performances, including one that had been viewed more than 1.5 million times as of October 2020.[25] These videos had as of November 2022 gained her 200,000 followers on TikTok.[26] Partly on the strength of this success, she toured Europe,[20] including a series of sold-out concerts in Italy and Austria.[7] In 2021 and continuing into 2022, she toured the U.S.,[27][28] including bookings at the 2022 Monterey Jazz Festival,[29] Lincoln Center Summer For The City's Jazz Underground series,[30] Winter Jazzfest,[31] and other festivals,[32][33] as well as in Europe.

On February 15, 2022, she performed on Today with guitarist Pasquale Grasso[34] and performed again on Today in September 2022.[35] On June 15, 2022, she was featured at Carnegie Hall's 16th Annual Notable Occasion.[36] and appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival.[37] She was featured on jazz pianist Julius Rodriguez's 2022 album Let Sound Tell All.[38]

On September 16, 2022, she released her second album, Linger Awhile, on Verve Records.[39] The album features drummer Kenny Washington, guitarist Pasquale Grasso, pianist Ben Paterson, and bassist David Wong.[40][41] Her bookings for Winter 2022 included singing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on its Big Band Holidays tour.[42][43]

She was nominated and won two awards at the Grammy Awards in 2023:[44] Best Jazz Vocal Album for Linger Awhile and Best New Artist.[45]

Discography

As lead artist

Album Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[46]
JPN
Hot
[47]
 UK
Jazz
[48]
Samara Joy
  • Released: July 9, 2021
  • Label: Whirlwind
  • Format: LP, CD, digital[49]
Track listing
  1. "Stardust" (3:53)
  2. "Everything Happens to Me" (3:57)
  3. "If You Never Fall in Love with Me" (2:33)
  4. "Let's Dream in the Moonlight" (2:46)
  5. "It Only Happens Once" (4:21)
  6. "Jim" (3:58)
  7. "The Trouble with Me Is You" (2:36)
  8. "If You'd Stay the Way I Dream" (2:00)
  9. "Oh Loverman, Where Can You Be?" (3:46)
  10. "Only a Moment Ago" (3:54)
  11. "Moonglow" (3:22)
  12. "But Beautiful" (feat. Pasquale Grasso) (5:00)
 — 94 4
Linger Awhile
  • Released: September 16, 2022
  • Label: Verve
  • Format: LP, CD, digital
 158 38 1
Linger Awhile Longer
  • Released: June 16, 2023
  • Label: Verve
  • Format: LP and (as "Linger Awhile (Deluxe Edition)) CD, digital
 — — —
A Joyful Holiday
  • Released: October 27, 2023
  • Label: Verve
  • Format: LP, CD, digital
 — — —
Year Singles Details
2022 "Warm in December" Digital single.
2023 "Someone Like You" Spotify Sessions single, subsequently released digitally.[50]
"Tight" Digital single.
"Now And Then" Released in collaboration with US retailer "Theory".[51]

As featured artist

Singles Year Other artist(s) Album
"Summertime" 2021 Ayanna Fowler, Barbara Douglas Non-album single
"If You Were Mine" Bruce Harris Quartet Soundview
"Bird of Red"
"Django's Lullaby" Ruben Fox Introducing...
"So Much Joy" Ruben Fox, Shenel Johns, Vuyo Sotashe
"Fragile" Eric Wyatt A Song of Hope
"Say Her Name"
"Solitude" Pasquale Grasso Pasquale Plays Duke
"I'm in a Mess" 2022 Be-Bop!
"In Heaven" Julius Rodriquez Let Sound Tell All
"Two Hearts (Lawns)" Terri Lyne Carrington, Ravi Coltrane New Standards Vol. 1

Awards and honors

Year Association Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Herself Won [52]
2021 JazzTimes Best New Artist Won [21]
2022 Jazz Music Awards Best New Jazz Artist Won [53]
2023 Grammy Awards Best New Artist Won [54]
Best Jazz Vocal Album Linger Awhile Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal Nominated [55]
2024 Grammy Awards Best Jazz Performance "Tight" Won [56]

References

  1. ^ Rose, Naeisha (May 20, 2021). "Samara Joy's new album drops in July". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  2. ^ Caulfield, Keith (February 13, 2023). "Samara Joy's 'Linger Awhile' Hits No. 1 on Multiple Billboard Charts After Best New Artist Grammy Win". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Mason, Sheila Horne (March 1, 2020). "The 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition – The SASSY Awards!". Jazz Police. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  4. ^ Alpers, Mira (July 12, 2021). "Craving Connection: Samara Joy Speaks". Jazzspeaks. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  5. ^ Walker, Gary (March 18, 2022). "Watch a charming set by Samara Joy and Pasquale Grasso, hosted by Gary Walker, at Yamaha Studio". WBGO. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Charleston, Rita (January 29, 2021). "Vocalist Samara Joy seeks to spread understanding of jazz music". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Marcel, Jean-Pierre (March 4, 2022). "Women's History Month: Meet Jazz Artist Samara Joy, the Voice of a New Generation". Ebony. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  8. ^ Frankenstein, Anne (August 22, 2021). "Samara Joy shows the Great American Songbook still matters". The Big Issue. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Meet Samara McLendon". Purchase College. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  10. ^ Contreras, Ayana (September 7, 2021). "Samara Joy's Quest for New Tradition". Downbeat. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Whitehead, Kevin (August 12, 2021). "Newcomer Samara Joy Makes An Imposing Debut On Her Self-Titled Album". NPR. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Faircloth, Keanna (November 21, 2019). "Meet Samara McLendon on Afternoon Jazz, Before the Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition". WBGO. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  13. ^ "INTRODUCING THE FOUNDATION'S ELLA FITZGERALD MEMORIAL SCHOLARS". ellafitzgerald.com. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  14. ^ Gelly, Dave (August 7, 2021). "Samara Joy: Samara Joy review – classic American song in safe young hands". The Guardian. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  15. ^ Garelick, Jon (November 11, 2022). "Holiday cheer from Samara Joy, with her own twist on tradition". Boston Globe. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  16. ^ Sieff, Adam (July 26, 2021). "Samara Joy: 'Samara Joy'". London Jazz News. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  17. ^ Faircloth, Keanna (November 25, 2019). "Samara McLendon Wins the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition". WBGO. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  18. ^ "Purchase College: Commencement 2021". purchase.edu. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  19. ^ DeLuke, R.J. (May 7, 2021). "Samara Joy: Ascension Into Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Haas, Scott (June 16, 2021). "Samara Joy — voice of a new generation". Bay State Banner. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  21. ^ a b "2021 JazzTimes Expanded Critics' Poll Results". Jazz Times. April 27, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  22. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (February 21, 2022). "NJPAC Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month With Great Shows". New Jersey Stage. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  23. ^ Fitzpatrick, Felicia (February 15, 2021). "Go Behind the Scenes of Women of Color on Broadway's "Summertime" Music Video". Playbill. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  24. ^ Keegan, Rebecca (January 13, 2021). "Director Roundtable: Regina King, Spike Lee, George Clooney and More Reflect on State of "Cinematic Experience" Amid Pandemic". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  25. ^ Bohrman, Gabrielle (October 6, 2020). "The Art of Going Viral". Purchase News. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  26. ^ "Samara Joy Sings". TikTok. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  27. ^ Harrington, Jim (March 22, 2022). "Jazz Vocalist Samara Joy Performs At West Falmouth Library". Daily Republic. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  28. ^ Harrington, Jim. "Emmet Cohen w/ Samara Joy Duo @ Jazz Club Ferrara". American Pianists. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  29. ^ Harrington, Jim (April 11, 2022). "Monterey Jazz Festival releases 2022 lineup". Daily Republic. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  30. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (June 3, 2022). "Lincoln Center Summer For The City to Present Jazz Underground Featuring Samara Joy and More". Broadway World. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  31. ^ Russonello, Giovanni (January 24, 2022). "Watch 5 Standout Performances From Winter Jazzfest". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  32. ^ "Litchfield Jazz Fest July 29–31 lineup announced". Daily Republic. March 9, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  33. ^ Edgar, Hannah (June 13, 2022). "Hyde Park Jazz Festival announces 2022 lineup featuring Charles McPherson Quintet, Qwanqwa and Hear in Now". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  34. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (February 23, 2022). "Samara Joy Performs On TODAY WITH HODA & JENNA". Broadway World. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "Samara Joy talks world tour, sings 'Can't Get Out of This Mood'". Today. September 27, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  36. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (May 20, 2022). "Samara Joy to be Featured in Carnegie Hall's 16th Annual Notable Occasion". Broadway World. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  37. ^ Ackert, David (August 31, 2022). "Samara Joy shines at 2022 Newport Jazz Festival: Video, Photos". Jazz Blues News. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  38. ^ Hobart, Mike (June 10, 2022). "Julius Rodriguez: Let Sound Tell All — a wide-ranging debut". Financial Times. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  39. ^ Johnson, Veronica (October 20, 2022). "Samara Joy: Linger Awhile (Verve)". JazzTimes. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  40. ^ Quinn, Peter. "Samara Joy: Linger Awhile". Jazzwise. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  41. ^ Johnson, Veronica (September 21, 2022). "Samara Joy – 'Linger Awhile'". London Jazz News. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  42. ^ "Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Dianne Reeves with Samara Joy: Big Band Holidays". Raleigh Magazine. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  43. ^ "Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra ft. Dianne Reeves w/ Samara Joy". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  44. ^ "SAMARA JOY VERVE RECORDS DEBUT EARNS 2 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS". Music Connection. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  45. ^ Grammy Nominations, CNN, November 15, 2022.
  46. ^ @billboardcharts (February 13, 2023). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200..." (Tweet). Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2023/04/12 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  48. ^ "UK Official Charts: Samara Joy". Official Charts. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  49. ^ "Samara Joy, by Samara Joy". Samara Joy. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  50. ^ "Samara Joy: Spotify Singles". January 30, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  51. ^ "Samara Joy: Now and Then". November 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  52. ^ Faircloth, Keanna (November 25, 2019). "Samara McLendon Wins the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition". WBGO. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  53. ^ Grein, Paul (October 25, 2022). "Christian McBride & Inside Straight Win Big at Inaugural Jazz Music Awards: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  54. ^ "Samara Joy". Grammy Awards. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  55. ^ Jackson, Angelique (January 12, 2023). "'Abbott Elementary,' 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' and 'The Woman King' Dominate NAACP Image Award Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  56. ^ Enos, Morgan (November 10, 2023). "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List". Grammy. Retrieved November 24, 2023.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Samara_Joy&oldid=1218519215"