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.
To give fans a sweet taste of what’s to come, Joy, 24, has released Portrait’s lead single “You Stepped Out Of A Dream.”
Joy and her seven-piece band intro the song with a light bossa nova arrangement. The Grammy-winner swiftly comes in with crisp velvety vocals. The band and Joy provide a fresh, contemporary take on the vocal-jazz repertoire while honoring its rich history.
With music written by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Gus Kahn, “You Stepped Out Of A Dream” has been recorded by an impressive array of iconic artists since the song was published in 1940. Samara Joy joins a list that includes Nat King Cole, Dave Brubeck, The Four Freshman, Art Garfunkel, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Julie London, Johnny Mathis and many others with her new interpretation.
Reflecting on the album, Joy stated:
“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.”
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.
Samara Joy Portrait tracklist:
1. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
2. Reincarnation Of A Lovebird
3. Autumn Nocturne
4. Peace of Mind / Dreams Come True
5. A Fool In Love (Is Called A Clown)
6. No More Blues
7. Now And Then (In Remembrance Of…)
8. Day By Day
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*