Director Selects: Samara Joy returns for two nights this December

2023 is the year of the GRAMMY© for 24-year-old Samara Joy. The Soraya was packed in March for her very first performance in LA after two major wins — Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album. This month she has more big news — she’s just been nominated for two more GRAMMY© awards, Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for her song “Lush Life” (not yet released) and Best Jazz Performance for “Tight.”

All of this success has not dimmed Ms. Joy’s light. We witnessed that firsthand at The Soraya when she stood for nearly an hour after her performance meeting fans and signing autographs. The link above is an interview she gave us backstage that night.

In just a few weeks she returns to The Soraya for two nights of her “A Joyful Holiday Tour,” with the talented relatives from her paternal McLendon family. They will perform arrangements from her latest album “A Joyful Holiday,” and time-honored songs of the season in her family’s distinct gospel, Motown, and jazz sound.

Did we mention she’ll be in the lobby again after each show? Get your cameras and Sharpies ready.

Gratefully,

P.S. If you’re interested in her 2023 acceptance speeches, click here for Best New Artists and here for Best Jazz Vocal Album.