Samara Joy
Artist
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Bio
Samara Joy McLendon (born November 11, 1999, Bronx, New York) is an American jazz vocalist and composer whose rich, velvety tone and timeless phrasing have established her as one of the defining voices of modern jazz. She bridges the gap between the classic era of jazz singers and a new generation of audiences, revitalizing the Great American Songbook with warmth, youth, and sophistication. Raised in a deeply musical family — her grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, founded the gospel group The Savettes, and her father, Antonio McLendon, performed with gospel legend Andraé Crouch — Samara’s earliest influences were rooted in gospel, soul, and traditional jazz. She attended Fordham High School for the Arts, where she won Best Vocalist at Essentially Ellington, a national jazz competition hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Later, as a student at SUNY Purchase College, she was named an Ella Fitzgerald Scholar, studying under legendary pianist Barry Harris, who became one of her key mentors. In 2019, Samara won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, catapulting her into the spotlight. Her self-titled debut album, Samara Joy (2021), recorded with guitarist Pasquale Grasso and his trio, showcased her mastery of standards and drew critical acclaim from JazzTimes and NPR. Her sophomore album, Linger Awhile (2022), released on Verve Records, earned her two Grammy Awards at the 65th Annual Grammys (2023) — Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album — making her one of the youngest jazz artists ever to receive those honors. The album reimagines classics like Someone To Watch Over Me and Guess Who I Saw Today with delicate phrasing and mature interpretation, cementing her position as a leading voice in contemporary jazz. In 2024, she released A Joyful Holiday, blending jazz and gospel influences into festive reinterpretations, followed by Portrait (2025) — a self-produced project that deepens her artistry, featuring original lyrics and arrangements inspired by Charles Mingus, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald. The album earned her two additional Grammy Awards in 2025: Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance (for Twinkle Twinkle Little Me featuring Sullivan Fortner). Her live performances — from Newport Jazz Festival and Montreal Jazz Festival to Carnegie Hall, Village Vanguard, and international tours — are celebrated for their sincerity, swing, and emotional range. Samara’s voice evokes the poise of Ella and the depth of Sarah Vaughan, yet her delivery feels intimate and fresh, resonating with new audiences across generations. At just 25 years old, Samara Joy stands as the new face of jazz vocals — a torchbearer of tradition and innovation, using her artistry to bring timeless songs into the modern moment.
Music style
Vocal Jazz, Jazz
Popular Songs
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