Encore: Samara Joy

In the organizer's words:

Born in the Bronx, Samara Joy was already enthusiastic about classic R&B as a child and gained her first experience as a singer in her church's gospel choir. And although her family has a long musical tradition - her grandparents led the Philadelphia gospel group "The Savettes", and her father, musician and songwriter Antonio McLendon, has produced, composed and arranged his own impressive original works - it was only during her studies at SUNY Purchase that she immersed herself in the jazz tradition. While studying there, she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2019.She released her self-titled debut album in 2021, followed a year later by "Linger Awhile", her breakthrough debut on Verve. The album earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album and a highly acclaimed win in the Best New Artist category. With "A Joyful Holiday", she won 2025 Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance.