Congratulations to three-time GRAMMY-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy, who earned two GRAMMY nominations for the 67th GRAMMY Awards - “Best Jazz Vocal Album” and “Best Jazz Performance” - for her holiday EP, A Joyful Holiday. The collection of seasonal favorites, released last year on Verve, features multiple generations of Joy’s family, plus Pasquale Grasso on guitar, David Wong on bass, Kenny Washington on drums and Sullivan Fortner on piano.
“I’m so grateful to be supported by such an incredible organization of musicians and artists,” says Joy. “This is a huge step, not only for me, but for my family, The McLendon Family, featured on this album with me. Being able to honor the very people who encouraged me to pursue music in the first place, particularly recording alongside my 94 year old grandfather, is an incredible moment and I can’t wait to share this news with them.”
Produced by Matt Pierson, A Joyful Holiday includes “O Holy Night,” “Warm in December,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and more, plus a new recording of Stevie Wonder’s “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me” featuring Sullivan Fortner, which earned a separate GRAMMY nomination on Friday for “Best Jazz Performance.” Get in the holiday spirit with A Joyful Holiday HERE.
Last month, Joy released her new studio album Portrait. The collection offers a snapshot of Joy’s growth not only as a once-in-a-generation vocalist but also as songwriter, arranger and band leader. NPR Music calls Portrait “the most jazz-literate album of her career so far,” while VIBE Magazine describes it as “eight tracks guaranteed to not only impress, but change the way we listen to modern vocal jazz.” Listen to Portrait (out now) HERE.
Joy, who previously took home the GRAMMY Award for “Best New Artist” (2023), “Jazz Vocal Album” (2023), and “Best Jazz Performance” (2024), is about to embark on her “A Joyful Holiday Tour” where she’ll perform gospel-infused holiday tunes from her newly GRAMMY-nominated A Joyful Holiday. The tour kicks off December 3rd at Penn State before stops in Richmond, Louisville, Baltimore, New York City, Chicago, Detroit, Philly, Atlanta and more. Please find all tour dates below and via https://www.samarajoy.com/tour.
Samara Joy “A Joyful Holiday Tour” Dates
December 3 – Penn State, PA – University Park
December 4 – Morristown, NJ – Mayo Performing Arts Center
December 6 – Richmond, VA – Altria
December 8 – Louisville, KY – Brown Theatre
December 10 – Baltimore, MD – Murphy Fine Arts Center
December 13 – New York, NY – United Palace
December 14 – Storrs, CT – Jorgensen Center
December 16 – Albany, NY – The Egg
December 17 – Buffalo, NY – U Of Buffalo Center For The Arts
December 19 – Detroit, MI – Fisher Theatre
December 20 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theater
December 22 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
December 23 – Philadelphia, PA – Verizon Hall
