Samara Joy wows the Barbican at EFG London Jazz Festival
At a remarkable concert at London’s Barbican Centre, the gifted American singer Samara Joy, backed by her incredible backing trio, was met with a standing ovation. She performed a capella version of Charles Mingus’ “Reincarnation of A Lovebird” to begin, displaying amazing poise and confidence before the band joined in.
Joy’s voice is described as being exquisitely beautiful, powerful, and honeyed, with flawless diction and the ideal balance of sensuality. Her singing has drawn comparisons to the likes of Sara Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Betty Carter due to her virtuosity, operatic grandeur, and perceptive intelligence.
The New Yorker’s knowledge of jazz and the Great American Songbook is impressive for a 24-year-old, demonstrating a remarkable understanding. Her stagecraft demonstrates maturity beyond her years, bringing a new perspective to familiar material while balancing respect for the past and a forward-thinking, self-expressive approach.
Despite the influence of her forefathers, she has already established herself as a unique artist. She embodies the essence of pure jazz, perfectly aligned with her artistic vision, with the help of three remarkable musicians, particularly the outstanding Allison.
Samara Joy graciously showcased her musicians, exhibiting flawless vocal control and diction while savoring the beauty of language, beginning with Antônio Carlos Jobim’s “No More Blues” (partially sung beautifully in Portuguese).
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She sang spine-tingling renditions of Thelonious Monk’s “Round Midnight” and Fats Navarro’s “Nostalgia,” with lyrics penned by Joy herself. In “Beware My Heart,” Betty Carter showcased a captivating drums-piano duet, while in “Tight,” she demonstrated virtuosity.
She demonstrated her versatility with a mashup of “Guess Who I Saw Today” and “Lately,” and her class was evident in a lively performance of “Linger Awhile,” the title track from her critically acclaimed 2022 Verve album.
Samara Joy and her band returned to the stage after a long standing ovation, and they gave a smooth, upbeat performance of “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood,” one of the best songs from her album “Linger Awhile.”
Judging by the enthusiastic applause and the long lines for merchandise, the evening was truly amazing and a delightful lift on a rainy London night. Everyone in the hall was very grateful for the occasion.
As I think back on the concert, I can’t help but wonder what this extraordinary young woman will be like in ten, twenty, or thirty years. Clearly, this already exceptional performer has a lot more to give. absolute happiness.
Samara Joy wows the Barbican at EFG London Jazz Festival first appeared on jazzwise
