Samara Joy

Samara Joy, a jazz singer, commenced her musical journey in 2019 and swiftly left a significant mark in the domain of jazz music. She gained recognition early in her career, winning the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition the same year. Her self-titled debut album "Samara Joy" was released in 2021, followed by her second album "Linger Awhile" in 2022, which climbed to the top spot on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. Furthermore, she made appearances on national television, including on "Today" with guitarist Pasquale Grasso, and in a "60 Minutes" interview.

In a relatively short span of time, Joy has showcased her talents on some of the most prestigious stages in the world. Notably, she has performed at the distinguished Carnegie Hall and at renowned jazz festivals including the Monterey Jazz Festival and Newport Jazz Festival. Her commitment to promoting the understanding and appreciation of jazz music is evident through her public performances and educational initiatives. Her association with prominent record labels such as Verve Records and Whirlwind Recordings further testifies to her growing influence in the industry.

Joy's exceptional talent and hard work have not gone unnoticed. She has been the recipient of multiple Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist in 2023, Best Jazz Performance in 2024 and 2025, and Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2023, 2025, and 2026. In addition, she bagged the Jazz Music Awards for Best New Jazz Artist in 2022 and was nominated for the Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards. Her alumni status from the State University of New York at Purchase underlines her solid foundation in music.