Jazz Sensation Samara Joy Earns Two Grammy Nominations For Latest Studio Album Portrait, Out Now On Verve Records
Portrait - “A Picture Of Artistic Independence—One Rooted In Legacy, Faith, And Fearless Evolution” (Essence) - Is Nominated For Best Jazz Vocal Album
“Peace Of Mind / Dreams Come True,” Joy’s First Original Song, Is Nominated For Best Jazz Performance
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November 7, 2025: 5X GRAMMY-winning jazz vocalist and NAACP Image Award winner Samara Joy has earned two new GRAMMY nominations for her latest studio album Portrait, out now on Verve. Portrait is nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album, and standout album track “Peace of Mind / Dreams Come True” is nominated for Best Jazz Performancefor the upcoming 68th GRAMMY Awards, airing live on CBS on February 1, 2026.
Co-produced by Joy and veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-GRAMMY winner Brian Lynch, Portrait finds the 25-year-old Bronx native channeling her success into the pursuit of musical exploration. The eight-song collection showcases a synergistic approach to arranging and the intimate, soulful chemistry Joy has developed with her touring band, who continue to play sold-out shows all over the world.
The album was tracked in streamlined sessions — just two or three takes of each tune — at one of jazz’s most hallowed sites, Van Gelder Studio. Portrait highlights Joy’s prowess as a lyricist, with new arrangements that meld her thoughtful lyrics with music by Charles Mingus, Barry Harris and more. The album also features vibrant interpretations of standards, including new arrangements “You Stepped Out of a Dream” and “Autumn Nocturne.”
“Peace of Mind / Dreams Come True” is a particularly noteworthy track on the album as Joy’s first original song, which unpacks the anxieties Joy felt in her post-GRAMMY moment, with the gratitude and cosmic optimism of Sun Ra. Samara spoke in depth about the track for Rolling Stone’s The Breakdown HERE.
The tracklist ultimately proves that the vocal-jazz repertoire can still break new ground while nodding to jazz history. NPR Music called Portrait “the most jazz-literate album of her career so far,” while Essence noted that it “paints a picture of artistic independence—one rooted in legacy, faith, and fearless evolution.” Listen to Portrait (out now on Verve Records) in its entirety HERE.
Joy, “a once-in-a-generation talent” (CBS News 60 Minutes), has amassed an extraordinary list of accomplishments: five GRAMMY Awards, her first NAACP Image Award, and spots on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and EBONY’s “STAMPED” list of cultural headliners. This year, she made her sold-out Carnegie Hall debut, performed sold out shows all over the world, was featured in ELLE’s Women in Music issue, and even guest starred on Sesame Street. She recently made her Austin City Limits debut on PBS - watch HERE - and she’s starring in West Elm’s first-ever brand campaign for the holiday season.
Earlier this month, Joy joined The Jennifer Hudson Show to perform “You Stepped Out Of A Dream” from Portrait - watch HERE. Joy also gave an interview to The Associated Press recently, offering insight into her tremendous growth since her GRAMMYs Best New Artist win in 2023 (read HERE).
Samara’s tour continues through the end of 2025 into 2026, with upcoming stops in Philly, DC, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta and more. Please see all announced dates below, and for more information, please visit https://www.samarajoy.com/.
Samara Joy 2025 Tour Dates
Nov. 11 - Philadelphia, PA - Miller Theater
Nov. 12 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
Nov. 14 - Carmel, IN - The Palladium
Nov. 15 - Madison, WI - Wisconsin Union Theater
Nov. 18 - Chesterfield, MO - The Factory
Nov. 19 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall
Nov. 21 - St. Paul, MN - The Fitzgerald Theater
Nov. 22 - Kansas City, MO - Folly Theater
Dec. 10 - Boston, MA - Boston Symphony Hall (with Boston Pops)
Jan. 24, 2026 - Grand Cayman - McBride’s World at Sea
Feb, 12, 2026 - Miami, FL - Arsht Center
Feb. 14, 2026 - Tampa, FL - David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
Feb. 17, 2026 - Melbourne, FL - Maxwell X. King Center for the Performing Arts
Feb 19, 2026 - Naples, FL - Artis
Mar. 25, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Symphony Hall (with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
Mar. 26, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Symphony Hall (with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
Apr. 1, 2026 - Dallas, TX - AT&T PAC, Winspear Opera House
Apr. 2, 2026 - Austin, TX - ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Apr. 4, 2026 - San Antonio, TX - Tobin Center / HEB Performance Hall
Apr. 9, 2026 - Scottsdale, AZ - Highlights Church, Arizona Musicfest
Apr. 11, 2026 - Las Vegas, NV - The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
May 12, 2026 - Chicago, IL - Symphony Center (with Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
May 16, 2026 - New York, NY - Geffen Hall (with New York Philharmonic)
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