At 24, jazz sensation Samara Joy follows up her Grammy-winning album “Linger Awhile” with her highly anticipated new release, “Portrait,” which hit shelves last Friday.
“I wasn’t expecting any of this,” Joy admitted in an interview with WNYC‘s Alison Stewart on “All of It.” “It wasn’t like, ‘OK, I have a plan. I’m going to go to jazz school. I’m going to graduate, and I’m going to become a star.'”
Born in the Bronx, Joy attended SUNY Purchase’s jazz program to study voice. She credits her professors and peers for introducing her to the world of jazz. “If I hadn’t gone to SUNY Purchase, I wouldn’t be doing this right now,” she said.
“Portrait” marks a new chapter in Joy’s career, featuring a full brass section for the first time. “I wanted to take the risk and trust myself,” she explained. “People will appreciate it… I feel like nothing becomes a hit when you play it once.”
The album’s lead single, “Peace of Mind,” was written during a period of overwhelming transition. “I wasn’t sure at one point how to handle and adapt to it all,” Joy confessed. “Being away from my parents and really being on my own… it was a weird isolation.”
To maintain her voice, Joy prioritizes rest, vocalizing, and hydration. “I am definitely increasing my water intake more than I did while I was in college,” she laughed.
Fashion also plays a significant role in Joy’s performances. “It’s really been important choosing the right clothes for each context,” she said, praising her stylist Kelly Augustine.
On November 9, Joy returns to SUNY Purchase for a concert. “I would say if I hadn’t gone to SUNY Purchase, I wouldn’t be doing this right now,” she reflected. “I get the chance to thank them and go back.”
Featured image credit: Gus Black
