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Ensemble Arts Philly Presents

Samara Joy

October 31, 2024

ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY PRESENTS
THREE-TIME GRAMMY® WINNER AND STAR VOCALIST,
SAMARA JOY, RETURNING WITH
A JOYFUL HOLIDAY,
FEATURING THE MCLENDON FAMILY,
 DECEMBER 23, 2024


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(October 31, 2024) – Ensemble Arts Philly is thrilled to present the return of jazz’s newest star, three-time GRAMMY® Award winner Samara Joy, with A Joyful Holiday at Marian Anderson Hall on December 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Joined by members of her talented musical family who have shared the influences of gospel, Motown, and jazz across the generations, Joy will deliver a sparkling evening brimming with the most time-honored songs of the season.

At only 24, Joy’s voice is wise beyond her years – a reincarnation of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holliday, with a special something of her own. Joy is building a worldwide fanbase and a collection of awards, starting with the 2023 GRAMMY Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best New Artist and the 2024 GRAMMY for Best Jazz Performance.

"Samara Joy is, undoubtedly, a shining star in the jazz universe," said Frances Egler, Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Presentations. “We look forward to welcoming her and members of the McLendon family back for a concert that celebrates both the festive season and their profound connection to Philly, adding a welcome homecoming to our robust holiday programming.”

A hit with old-school jazz fans, Joy is also converting a new generation to the art form; The New York Times praised Joy for “helping jazz take a youthful turn,” while NPR called her a “classic jazz singer from a new generation.” Joy is a frequent guest of Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and while attending Fordham High School for the Arts, she won Best Vocalist in the JALC Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Competition. In 2019, Joy won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition while a junior at SUNY Purchase.

Joy grew up singing in church, following a family tradition which stretches back to her grandparents Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, both of whom performed with Philadelphia gospel group the Savettes, and runs through her father, who is a singer, songwriter, and producer who toured with gospel artist Andraé Crouch. Her rich and velvety voice has earned her fans like Anita Baker and Regina King, plus landed appearances on The TODAY Show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS Mornings, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, and more in addition to millions of likes and 2 billion views on TikTok – cementing her status as perhaps the first Gen Z jazz singing star.

Samara Joy: A Joyful Holiday Featuring the McLendon Family performance is a part of Ensemble Arts Philly’s 2024-25 Jazz Series. Other featured upcoming performances include Boney James (November 9, 2024, Miller Theater); Django Festival All-Stars (November 16, 2024, Perelman Theater); Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band (November 29, 2024, Perelman Theater); Somi (May 9, 2025, Perelman Theater), and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (June 15, 2025, Marian Anderson Hall).

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org. In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 a.m. 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street. See  www.ensembleartsphilly.org for more information.

Samara Joy: A Joyful Holiday Featuring the McLendon Family
Marian Anderson Hall
Monday, December 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. 

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ABOUT ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY
For more information about ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY, visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org.    

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For photography, please visit www.ensembleartsphilly.smugmug.com
Click here for a PDF version of this press release.

 

The close precision and frothy power of her voice stand out immediately... so does the depth of her comfort within the jazz tradition.

The New York Times

Joy's voice is an instrument that is always, always in tune... her pitch is the very picture of pinpoint perfection.

WRTI

A reincarnation of Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald in the same body.

London Jazz News

Press Contacts:

Lauren A. Woodard Hall
484-832-1963

Hannah Palermo
267-765-3724