Samara Joy Becomes A 5x GRAMMY Winner

“Once-In-A-Generation” Vocalist Takes Home Two Awards For Best Jazz Vocal Album And Best Jazz Performance At 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards

February 3, 2025: Samara Joy earned her fourth and fifth GRAMMY Awards last night at the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards. The jazz vocalist took home gold for Best Jazz Performance (“Twinkle Twinkle Little Me” feat. Sullivan Fortner) and Best Jazz Vocal Album (A Joyful Holiday). Joy previously won Best New Artist (2023), Best Jazz Vocal Album (Linger Awhile, 2023), and Best Jazz Performance (“Tight,” 2024).

The 25-year-old Bronx native wore a custom look by Grace Ling and shoes by Stuart Weitzman. You can read more about the look in Vogue HERE.

Earlier in the weekend, Samara earned a standing ovation for her performance at Clive Davis’ Pre-GRAMMY Gala, where money was raised for the MusiCares’ Fire Relief Fund. Joy wore a gown by Oscar De La Renta and Christian Louboutin shoes.

The GRAMMY Awards cap another exciting year for Joy, who released her new studio album Portrait on Verve Records in October. The collection offers a snapshot of Joy’s growth not only as a once-in-a-generation vocalist but also as songwriter, lyricist, arranger and band leader. The Times calls Portrait “a true artistic statement,” while VIBE Magazine describes it as “eight tracks guaranteed to not only impress, but change the way we listen to modern vocal jazz.” Listen to Portrait (out now) HERE.

Last week, Joy was profiled on PBS Newshour. She sat down with correspondent Jeffrey Brown at the legendary Van Gelder Studio, where she recorded Portrait, to discuss her musical growth and deep appreciation for the jazz genre. Watch HERE.

Other recent highlights include an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album, a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, a CBS News 60 Minutes profile (watch HERE), and more. Joy is a featured guest on the new season of Sesame Street; her episode will air on February 6th on MAX.

Joy will tour across the globe throughout 2025, including a performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles this Friday, February 7th, followed by a string of shows throughout Asia and Europe. She’ll make her anticipated Carnegie Hall debut on April 30th. For all upcoming shows and tickets, please visit https://www.samarajoy.com. 

Samara Joy 2025 Tour Dates

Feb 5 - Berkeley, CA - Zellerbach Auditorium

Feb 7 - Los Angeles, CA - Walt Disney Concert Hall

Feb 11 - Tokyo, Japan - Blue Note Tokyo

Feb 13 - Sumida City, Japan - Sumida Triphony Hall

Feb 14 - Takasaki, Japan - Takasaki City Theatre

Feb 16 - Seoul, South Korea - Mapo Art Center

Feb 19 - Shanghai, China - Shanghai Center Theatre 

March 7 - Caen, France - Theatre De Caen

March 8 - Coutances, France - Theatre De Coutances

March 10 - Lyon, France - Orchestre National De Lyon

March 11 - Lucerne, Switzerland - KKL Luzern

March 12 - Geneva, Switzerland - Victoria Hall

March 14 - Amiens, France - Maison De La Culture

March 15 - Paris, France - Grande salle Pierre Boulez - Philharmonie de Paris

March 17 - Toulouse, France - La Halle Aux Grains

March 18 - Marseille, France - Le Cepac Silo

March 20 - Metz, France - Arsenal

March 22 - Antwerp, Belgium - De Singel International Arts Centre

March 23 - Utrecht, Netherlands - TivoliVrendenburg 

April 30 - New York, NY - Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall

May 3 - Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center

May 4 - East Greenwich, RI - Greenwich Odeum

May 11 - Germantown, TN - Highland Capital Performance Hall

May 13 - Nashville, TN - Schermerhorn Symphony Center

May 15 - Niagara, Canada - Central Niagara

May 16 - Toronto, Canada - Massey Hall

May 18 - Cape May, NJ - Exit Zero Jazz Festival

May 20 - Ridgefield, CT - The Ridgefield Playhouse

May 22 - Orlando, FL - Dr. Phillips Center - Steinmetz Hall

May 28 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre

June 1 - New Orleans, LA - Orpheum Theater

June 2 - Houston, TX - Jones Hall For The Performing Arts

June 5 - Raleigh, NC - Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

June 7 - Norfolk, VA - Chrysler Hall

June 28 - Montreal, Canada - Place Des Arts - Maison Symphonique at Montreal Jazz Festival

About Samara Joy

A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. And while her family history is deeply musical — her grandparents helmed the Philadelphia gospel group the Savettes, and her father, the musician and songwriter Antonio McLendon, has produced, composed and arranged his own astounding original work — she didn’t delve into the jazz tradition until college at SUNY Purchase. During her studies there she won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, which introduced her to the larger jazz scene as a rising star to watch. She was heard, by audiences and critics alike, as a masterful interpreter of jazz standards and a rightful heiress of the sound, technique and charisma that defined her jazz heroines — including Vaughan, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln and Carmen McRae.

Joy released her self-titled debut on the Whirlwind label in 2021, followed a year later by Linger Awhile, her breakout Verve debut, of which DownBeat said, “With this beautiful recording, a silky-voiced star is born.” The album earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in addition to a headline-making win for Best New Artist. A deluxe edition of the album was released, as well as the EP A Joyful Holiday. Her new Verve album, Portrait, which Joy co-produced with the veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, showcases the intimate, soulful chemistry she’s developed with her touring band. Portrait also spotlights her burgeoning gifts as a lyricist, in ingenious arrangements that meld her thoughtful words with music by Charles Mingus, Sun Ra and her late mentor Barry Harris. 

Connect with Samara Joy:

Website / TikTok / Instagram / Facebook

Press Contacts:

Allison Elbl (Shore Fire) - aelbl@shorefire.com 

Taylor Perry (Shore Fire) - tperry@shorefire.com 

Erin Ryan (Verve Records) - Erin.Ryan@umusic.com 

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