Once-in-a-generation vocalist Samara Joy “creates the standards of today” (Jazz Night in America) with her “glowing, auspicious” (NPR) Verve Records debut, Linger Awhile. Out today, the 10-song collection finds the Bronx native modernizing classic songs with “youthful exuberance” (WRTI) and “instincts that can’t be taught” (Consequence), sometimes singing original lyrics using the melodies of famous instrumental solos, a style known as vocalese. Recorded at Sear Sound in New York City by Chris Allen and produced by Matt Pierson, Linger Awhile features exemplary musicianship by Pasquale Grasso (guitar), Ben Paterson (piano), David Wong (double bass), and Kenny Washington (drums). The tracklist is comprised of beloved songs by George Gershwin (“Someone To Watch Over Me”) and Thelonious Monk (“Round Midnight”), and also includes Samara’s original lyrics on Fats Navarro’s “Nostalgia (The Day I knew).” While paying homage to those who came before her, Samara is introducing a new audience to standards several times older than she is through her timeless, irresistible sound.
At just 22 years old, Samara Joy has dazzled crowds at jazz clubs, festivals, and cultural institutions across the globe, garnered millions of likes on TikTok, made her national television debut with a performance on the Today Show, and earned glowing public endorsements from the likes of Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, and many others. Samara comes from a strong musical heritage and has relished the process of digging through music history from an early age. She fell in love with jazz while attending Fordham High School for the Arts, where she performed regularly with the jazz band and eventually won Best Vocalist at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition. Samara took home the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition prize while earning her degree from SUNY Purchase’s jazz studies program. Now, a year after graduating college as the Ella Fitzgerald Scholar, Samara has added a new credential to her impressive resume: Verve recording artist.
Throughout the remainder of 2022, Samara will perform across North America and Europe. This holiday season, she’ll join the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as a special guest on their Big Band Holidays tour, followed by a handful of her own holiday shows the week before Christmas. Full touring schedule below.
Linger Awhile Tracklist
01. Can't Get Out of This Mood (3:42)
02. Guess Who I Saw Today (4:09)
03. Nostalgia (The Day I Knew) (3:31)
04. Sweet Pumpkin (3:55)
05. Misty (4:54)
06. Social Call (4:30)
07. I'm Confessin' That I Love You(5:04)
08. Linger Awhile (1:47)
09. 'Round Midnight (5:42)
10. Someone To Watch Over Me feat. Pasquale Grasso (4:04)