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SAMARA JOY
Bronx, New York, USAjazz · soul · gospel · r&b
Samara Joy McLendon, born November 11, 1999, in the Bronx, New York, is one of the most captivating jazz vocalists of her generation. Raised in a deeply musical family — her grandparents led the Philadelphia gospel group The Savettes, and her father toured as a singer and producer with gospel legend Andraé Crouch — she first sang in her church choir before discovering jazz at SUNY Purchase College, where she was named an Ella Fitzgerald Scholar. While still a student, she won the prestigious 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, instantly propelling her into the spotlight.
Her self-titled debut album appeared on the Whirlwind label in 2021, followed a year later by "Linger Awhile," her Verve debut. DownBeat praised it as "a beautiful recording," and the album reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. At the 2023 Grammys, she took home both Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album — a rare double triumph. In 2025, "A Joyful Holiday" earned her further Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance. Her most recent album, "Portrait," co-produced with trumpeter Brian Lynch and recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio, won her an NAACP Image Award in 2025 and the Grammy for Best Vocal Jazz Album in 2026. The New York Times calls her a "rising star," while NPR describes her as a "classic jazz singer from a new generation."
SAMARA JOY live in Mallorca
No SAMARA JOY dates are currently announced.
Frequently asked questions about SAMARA JOY
What musical style does Samara Joy represent?
Samara Joy sings jazz rooted in gospel, soul, and R&B. Her style draws on the classic tradition of great vocalists like Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday, with a rich, velvety voice and a refined command of jazz standards.
How did Samara Joy rise to international fame?
Her breakthrough came with her 2019 win at the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. In 2023, she won both Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album at the Grammys for her Verve album "Linger Awhile" — an exceptional double achievement.
In what context does Samara Joy perform live?
Samara Joy performs at prestigious venues and jazz festivals worldwide, including engagements with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Her live shows are defined by intimate chemistry with her touring band.