Samara Joy, a rising jazz artist, will perform at the Jorgensen Center of the Performing Arts at the University of Connecticut on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Samara Joy has won a lot of praise for her excellent albums and live performances. The New York Times refers to her as a “silky-voiced rising star,” praising her for playing a crucial part in injecting youth into the jazz genre. She is acknowledged by NPR’s “All Things Considered” as a “classic jazz singer representing a new generation.”
Joy has established a reputation with her most recent album, “Linger Awhile,” that puts her in the elite company of jazz greats like Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.
Joy, who is only 23 years old, has already won two Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album awards. Her first song, “Linger Awhile,” was a commercial triumph and received praise for her silky voice and skillful reworking of classic American songs.
She has performed on stage with legends like Bill Charlap and Christian McBride. Her amazing bandmates, Pasquale Grasso on guitar, Kenny Washington on drums, David Wong on bass, and Ben Paterson on piano, will be accompanying her on this musical trip.
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Samara Joy comes from a musically interested family in the Bronx, New York, and has extensive musical origins. Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, her paternal grandparents, were the inspirational minds behind the well-known Philadelphia gospel group “The Savettes.”
Even more impressively, Goldwire displayed his abilities as a finalist on the third season of BET’s prestigious Gospel Talent competition, “Sunday Best.” She was introduced to the deep sounds of Motown and the resonant harmonies of gospel giants like The Clark Sisters by her father, a talented vocalist and bassist who toured with gospel star Andraé Crouch.
Joy’s music is a fusion of traditional jazz and modern R&B. Although she has a great appreciation for jazz’s history, she is not hesitant to explore and push the genre’s limits. She is a compelling performer who captivates the audience with her stories and her songs, and her live performances are renowned for their vigor and enthusiasm.
According to Zach Nevins “Samara Joy marks a new chapter for jazz. Although she honors her traditional jazz roots, her experiments with contemporary R&B appeal to new jazz audiences. Watching her live is also an incredible experience. She has this magical voice — probably the best I’ve ever heard live, and I think you would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t feel compelled after listening to her”.
