2022 "FOCUS ON YOUTH":
FEATURED EMERGING ARTIST
Proud Sponsors of Focus on Youth 2022
Jazz Artist:
Samara Joy
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Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez
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UPDATE 2023: Samara wins two Grammys at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards - Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album! Congratulations!
With a voice as smooth as velvet, Samara Joy’s star seems to rise with each performance. Following her winning the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, she began working on her debut recording, which features Samara backed by the Pasquale Grasso Trio.
Growing up in New York, music was a pervasive presence, due to the inspiration of her paternal grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, who led the well-known Philadelphia-based gospel group, The Savettes. Her father toured with the renowned Gospel artist Andrae Crouch, and her home was filled with the sounds of her father’s songs and songwriting process as well as many Gospel and R&B artists, including Stevie Wonder, Lalah Hathaway, George Duke, Musiq Soulchild, Kim Burrell, Commissioned, and many others. Samara’s first exposure to jazz was while attending Fordham High School for the Arts, where she performed regularly with the jazz band, eventually winning Best Vocalist at JALC’s Essentially Ellington competition. However, jazz wasn’t really her focus until the time came to choose a college. Wanting to attend a state school close to home, she picked SUNY Purchase, gaining acceptance into their acclaimed jazz program with a faculty that includes many jazz masters (such as Pasquale Grasso and drummer Kenny Washington, who both appear on her debut recording.) From this point, she began to pursue her jazz studies with an intense passion, eventually being named the Ella Fitzgerald Scholar and entering and winning the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. |
Samara has already performed in many of the great jazz venues in New York City, including Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, The Blue Note and Mezzrow, in addition to working with jazz greats, such as Christian McBride, Pasquale Grasso, Kirk Lightsey, Cyrus Chestnut, and NEA Jazz Master the late Dr. Barry Harris.
Samara's self-titled debut recording was released by Whirlwind Recordings in July 2021. It presents her backed by the trio of guitarist Pasquale Grasso, bassist Ari Roland, and drummer Kenny Washington. Since then, Samara has dug deep to discover her jazz roots without losing sight of the innate simplicity that makes her sound shine. Her first album announces the arrival of a young artist destined for greatness.
Samara's self-titled debut recording was released by Whirlwind Recordings in July 2021. It presents her backed by the trio of guitarist Pasquale Grasso, bassist Ari Roland, and drummer Kenny Washington. Since then, Samara has dug deep to discover her jazz roots without losing sight of the innate simplicity that makes her sound shine. Her first album announces the arrival of a young artist destined for greatness.
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After attending Samara's performance at The Falcon in Marlboro, NY on May 15, Myrna Beth Haskell, executive editor, was determined to feature her in Sanctuary's 7th annual Focus on Youth issue. She later spoke with this rising star about her journey thus far in the music industry, what she loves about jazz, and her debut album.
How young were you when you started singing? Do you remember a first performance?
I was a quiet kid, but I was surrounded by music while growing up. My dad, cousins, brother, uncle…they were all musical. We all sang together every Thanksgiving.
I was part of a children’s ministry in the church in elementary school – a group that put on performances and showed artwork…that kind of thing. I remember singing ‘Oh Happy Day’ with the children’s choir.
Did you sing the lead for that song?
Samara smiles. Oh…yes. I remember I did.
Any other experiences when you were young?
I performed in [music events] in elementary school through high school. I always participated, whether it was with a choir or musical theater. Whenever there was an opportunity, I was in it – both at school and at home.
I started singing lead in the church choir when I was sixteen. That was an eye-opening experience. I was a lot more nervous than I thought I would be. I had to learn not to sing at people but to invite them into the performance. This experience taught me to be a leader and to be confident.
Samara joined the choir at her church in high school, eventually becoming a worship leader, singing three services a week for nearly two years.
Do you have a special mentor who helped you along the way?
Along the way, my teachers (in church and at school) were the most supportive and encouraging about me continuing with my development as far as singing. My sixth-grade music teacher, Mr. Phelps, was one of my favorites. I’m still in touch with him and just saw him the other day. He came to one of my performances. Samara laughs. He actually lives right around the corner.
What about songwriting?
I love writing lyrics. I love writing in general, getting my thoughts down. Writing lyrics became a part of me, but it’s still a work in progress.
As far as songs, I always found myself listening to one song for weeks or months, really getting attached to it almost like it was a part of me. So, I would learn every little change, inflection, musical idea. I definitely exercised that skill while I was at school because it was a requirement – writing arrangements, writing for horns, etc. I had to come out of my shell and my comfort zone doing this.
How young were you when you started singing? Do you remember a first performance?
I was a quiet kid, but I was surrounded by music while growing up. My dad, cousins, brother, uncle…they were all musical. We all sang together every Thanksgiving.
I was part of a children’s ministry in the church in elementary school – a group that put on performances and showed artwork…that kind of thing. I remember singing ‘Oh Happy Day’ with the children’s choir.
Did you sing the lead for that song?
Samara smiles. Oh…yes. I remember I did.
Any other experiences when you were young?
I performed in [music events] in elementary school through high school. I always participated, whether it was with a choir or musical theater. Whenever there was an opportunity, I was in it – both at school and at home.
I started singing lead in the church choir when I was sixteen. That was an eye-opening experience. I was a lot more nervous than I thought I would be. I had to learn not to sing at people but to invite them into the performance. This experience taught me to be a leader and to be confident.
Samara joined the choir at her church in high school, eventually becoming a worship leader, singing three services a week for nearly two years.
Do you have a special mentor who helped you along the way?
Along the way, my teachers (in church and at school) were the most supportive and encouraging about me continuing with my development as far as singing. My sixth-grade music teacher, Mr. Phelps, was one of my favorites. I’m still in touch with him and just saw him the other day. He came to one of my performances. Samara laughs. He actually lives right around the corner.
What about songwriting?
I love writing lyrics. I love writing in general, getting my thoughts down. Writing lyrics became a part of me, but it’s still a work in progress.
As far as songs, I always found myself listening to one song for weeks or months, really getting attached to it almost like it was a part of me. So, I would learn every little change, inflection, musical idea. I definitely exercised that skill while I was at school because it was a requirement – writing arrangements, writing for horns, etc. I had to come out of my shell and my comfort zone doing this.
Where do you get your inspiration for a song?
Inspiration strikes at any point in time. Something might come to me while I’m cooking or on the train. A melody or idea comes to mind, and then I have to record it right away. Afterward, I’ll go to other musicians to get their feedback and exchange ideas. I’m glad to have fostered relationships in school with musicians whom I trust – those I know I can learn from and exchange ideas with in a creative and open way. How does the audience help with the energy of your performance? This past weekend, we did six sets at the Keystone Korner in Baltimore, and it was a different audience for each set. So, you have to consider how to make it sound new, like it’s not rehearsed, like it hasn’t been done a million times. The audience in Baltimore was particularly responsive. It was packed for all sets and was a beautiful experience. The audience is so important. I definitely get energized off of that. Sometimes when I’m feeling a little tired and feel I’ve exhausted all creative possibilities, it’s the audience [that lifts me]. Seeing that they’re feeling and hearing where I’m coming from, that they’re wanting more…well, it makes me just want to keep going. |
Photo Credit: Raphael Perez
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Why jazz? Have any jazz greats from the past inspired you?
I didn’t grow up with it. I really dove into it when I got to college. It just hit me, and I hadn’t been exposed to it before – this American art form, this Black music that I had no idea about. I had these snippets of things I had listened to – Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – but I never delved deep into it.
One instance really struck me and made me want to explore jazz more. I saw Sarah Vaughan sing ‘Lover Man’ on YouTube. It was a recording of a live performance. I hadn’t heard the song before, but seeing how she told that story so relaxed…it just took my breath away. She was so masterful with the emotion she put into it. I was just sucked in.
I didn’t grow up with it. I really dove into it when I got to college. It just hit me, and I hadn’t been exposed to it before – this American art form, this Black music that I had no idea about. I had these snippets of things I had listened to – Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – but I never delved deep into it.
One instance really struck me and made me want to explore jazz more. I saw Sarah Vaughan sing ‘Lover Man’ on YouTube. It was a recording of a live performance. I hadn’t heard the song before, but seeing how she told that story so relaxed…it just took my breath away. She was so masterful with the emotion she put into it. I was just sucked in.
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Do you appreciate the impromptu aspect of jazz?
I do, and I’ve grown to love it. Singing a song the same way can get tiring. For some pop stars, they have to do this because people are hearing it on the radio all of the time, and that’s how they expect to hear it when they see it live. It’s different for us. I can sing a song a different way – in a different key or a different tempo. I can make a different arrangement. Do you hope that more young people will develop an interest in jazz? How do you hope to encourage an interest in jazz with your peer group? I think that they’ve always been there. I’m surrounded by peers who are interested in jazz. I have peers who are musicians, and we go to see each other play. It’s not the most popular genre with my peer group, but it certainly hasn’t been forgotten. I see this on social media – people are very interested. I share it because I love it, and that’s a natural way to [encourage others to love the genre]. |
You won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2019. How has this helped your career?
It was the first competition I had ever participated in. I had never been in competitions growing up. So, to win it was really cool. It was wonderful to know the [notable] judges appreciated it.
For the next couple of months, it definitely created some buzz, and I was supposed to perform at the Newport Jazz Fest in summer 2020. Then, COVID-19 hit, and everything shut down. But I’m glad that I didn’t perform then. I have so much more experience now – performing, relating to audiences, and talking on stage. So, now I’m ready and will be performing at the festival at the end of July. I feel a lot more confident now.
It was the first competition I had ever participated in. I had never been in competitions growing up. So, to win it was really cool. It was wonderful to know the [notable] judges appreciated it.
For the next couple of months, it definitely created some buzz, and I was supposed to perform at the Newport Jazz Fest in summer 2020. Then, COVID-19 hit, and everything shut down. But I’m glad that I didn’t perform then. I have so much more experience now – performing, relating to audiences, and talking on stage. So, now I’m ready and will be performing at the festival at the end of July. I feel a lot more confident now.
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Let’s discuss your debut album, Samara Joy. Is there a common theme or thread throughout this collection? Any underlying inspirations?
If it was up to me and my own motivation, I probably wouldn’t have recorded it. I might have said I’m not ready to make an album yet. Considering the circumstances and the time we were in, the producer that I connected with suggested to make one and plan for a soft release. We recorded in October 2020, hoping that by the time we released it (in July 2021), we could promote it and support it [with performance dates]. When I recorded it, I was still in school. I had learned this repertoire of songs over four years. It felt like an ode to all that I had learned about jazz in that short time. All of the songs had an effect on me, and I wanted to give my interpretation of them. I loved singing them, and I loved the versions I heard when I came across them, so I wanted to document them. Do you have a favorite song on the album? ‘If You’d Stay the Way I Dream About You.’ I was listening to Carmen McRae when I was in Rome for the first time going to Barry Harris’* music workshop. It was my first trip overseas and my first time on an airplane. I had such a wonderful time working with him, may he rest in peace, as well as with all of the people who came to that workshop. And I always associate that song with that experience. |
*The late Barry Harris (1929-2021) was an internationally renowned jazz pianist, composer and teacher who devoted his life to the advancement of jazz.
Samara Joy is “a fantastic collection of highly original new arrangements, beautifully sung by a rising talent, and a very impressive first album. People are forever using the word 'timeless' as if it were the greatest praise ever, but in a way, Samara’s voice and her music seem to belong to all time, like she’s connected to the entire history of jazz all at once - as if she were existing in every era simultaneously, she sounds both classic and contemporary.” ~ Will Friedwald, author & music critic
Any challenges along the way so far that you’d like to share?
As soon as I got out of college, I was working and gigging. I had to learn to prioritize my time and use my time wisely – practicing and spending time with family. I had to learn to live outside the next gig. That’s always difficult.
I had to adjust to travel. I wasn’t used to that at all. Right now, I have stuff booked through next February. Last November, I had my first tour in my name. I was gone for two weeks. This past April/May, I was gone for three, and the next one, I’ll be gone for a whole month. I need contact with my family, so it’s very hard.
How do you destress while on the road?
I always bring a book and a keyboard so I can practice on the road. And I always have my phone, so I can FaceTime with my family.
Any future plans you’d like to share?
My second album is done, and the release will be announced soon. I just recorded a song with my family that, hopefully, will be released by Christmas. I want to make sure I have time and make more space for those opportunities as well. It’s such an important part of who I am, and I want to involve my family as much as possible.