With two recent Grammy Award-winning albums, Bronx native Samara Joy has rocketed to fame and quickly joined the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday as the next great jazz singing sensation.
She makes her UGA Presents debut with a seven-piece band Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Hodgson Concert Hall.
Her voice — rich and velvety, yet precociously refined — has helped “jazz take a youthful turn” (New York Times) by introducing her massive young audience to a slew of classic standards several times older than she is. Through her timeless sound, she has already become a “classic jazz singer from a new generation” (NPR).
On her debut album for Verve Records, “Linger Awhile,” Joy is accompanied by esteemed veterans. With ease and a preternatural assurance, she swings right alongside them through understated yet powerful renditions in this creative collection of standards.
In February 2023, Joy took home two Grammys — Best Jazz Vocal Album for “Linger Awhile” and the highly sought after Best New Artist statuette.
In 2024, at the 66th Grammy Awards, she added to her growing collection of accolades by taking home the Best Jazz Performance statuette for her single “Tight.” The self-produced track features Joy with her working band (pianist Luther Allison, bassist Mikey Migliore and drummer Evan Sherman) and was recorded at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in NYC.
Most recently, the breakout vocalist released the original single “Why I’m Here.” This track from the Netflix film “Shirley,” starring Oscar winner Regina King, was written by Samara and fellow multiple Grammy winner PJ Morton and plays over the end title credits.
This performance is supported by Laura W. Carter.
Three ways to get tickets
- Purchase tickets online at pac.uga.edu.
- Call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (five-minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
To learn more about all UGA Performing Arts Center events, visit pac.uga.edu.
