Samara Joy, Grammy Best New Artist 2023, to Release ‘Portrait’ Album

Bronx-born jazz singer Samara Joy, who won the best new artist Grammy in 2023, will release her third full studio album, “Portrait,” on October 11th via Verve Records. The album, the follow up to her 2022 breakout album “Linger Awhile,” spotlights her not just as a singer but also as songwriter, arranger and band leader. 

Co-produced by Joy and veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, the 8-song album features her touring band, an octet featuring trumpeter Jason Charos, trombonist Donavan Austin, saxophonists David Mason and Kendric McCallister, pianist Connor Rohrer, bassist Felix Moseholm and drummer Evan Sherman.

According to the announcement, “Portrait” features Joy’s lyrics with music by Charles Mingus, Sun Ra and more. The album also features interpretations of standards, including new arrangements “You Stepped Out of a Dream” (out now) and “Autumn Nocturne.”

“A well of inspiration that never runs dry because of the different streams that flow in, constantly pouring into the main source. That’s what comes to mind when I think of this project and the musicians who created it with me,” says Joy of the project. “Eight musicians, eight fresh perspectives and musical backgrounds – all joined together in a context designed for growth and exploration. Designed to put our pens and minds to work creating music inspired by many but still uniquely our own. Because of the incredible depth of musicianship and creativity infused into the sound of this band, I’m honored to be able to present Portrait, shaped after a year of development and revision on the road.”

Joy will tour across the US for the remainder of 2024 — dates below.  

Samara Joy 2024 Tour Dates

August 30 – Washington, DC – DC Jazz Fest

August 31 – Charleston, SC – Low Country Jazz Festival 

September 14  – St. Paul, MN – Ordway

September 15 – St. Louis, MO – Music At The Intersection

September 19 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center

September 20 – Costa Mesa, CA – Segerstrom Center, La

September 22 – Escodido, CA – California Center For The Arts

September 27 – Monterey, CA – Monterey Jazz Festival 

October 13 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theater

October 15 – Clemson, SC – Clemson University Brooks Center

October 17 – Birmingham, AL – Alys Stephens Center

October 18 – Athens, GA – U of GA Hodgson Concert Hall

October 20 – Tallahassee, FL – Lee Hall

October 22 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre

October 23 – Ft Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center

October 27 – Baton Rouge, LA – River Center Perf Arts Theater

October 30 –Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre

October 31 – Tucson, AZ – Fox Theatre 

November 7 – Red Bank, NJ – NJ Count Basie Center

November 9 – Purchase, NY – Purchase College 

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 11 – Bowie, MD – Bowie State University*

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*

*”A Joyful Holiday” Tour Dates

Portrait Tracklist

01.  You Stepped Out Of A Dream [4:35]

02.  Reincarnation Of A Lovebird [6:28]

03.  Autumn Nocturne [3:47]

04.  Peace of Mind / Dreams Come True [7:06]

05.  A Fool In Love (Is Called A Clown) [4:48]

06.  No More Blues [5:46]

07.  Now And Then (In Remembrance Of…) [6:28]

08.  Day By Day [4:58]