SAMARA JOY news concerts
SAMARA JOY
2026
Again 2 grammy 2026 for
Win Look Was As Soft And Silky As Her Vocals
Jazz vocalist Samara Joy is fresh off of her 6th Grammy win. Sunday night, the Bronx-born artist took home the award for Best Jazz Vocal Album for project Portrait. And, rightfully so, as her buttery smooth vocals, on songs like “Peace of Mind / Dreams Come True,” feel like a balm in these difficult times. Her Grammys glam team can attest to her soothing energy, too. “She has such a warm, kind, authenticity that radiates in whatever room she’s in. Not only does she trust the process, but she is so sweet throughout, which makes working with her nothing short of a blast,” hair artist Tai Simon tells ESSENCE. Makeup artist Keita Moore echoes this. “I love her music and her energy. She’s beautiful, poised, and timeless,” he explains. “She’s also incredibly easy to work with; passionate yet grounded, and truly such a joy to be around.”
That said, great hair, makeup, and a fabulous dress are merely cherries on top of her talent and grace. To pair with her regal, silver silk dress, and matching overcoat, was a sleek pony and face-framing side bangs. “We wanted to go for something fun and flirty yet still keep the glamour that Samara Joy embodies, so an elevated ponytail was a no-brainer,” Simon says. Bringing it to life were trusted products, like GHD styling tools and a great pair of shears, and even trustier techniques. “For any flawless ponytail, the real key is great tension, of course. When it came to the elevated curls, we’re all about feather layers and curling just enough so that the body remains—but also falls very softly and whimsically.”
The makeup was equally as elegant: soft pink lips, blushy cheeks, with a touch of shimmery smoke on the lids. But the main event? “It was really all about the base,” Moore, who’s known for creating a long-lasting and dewy canvas, says. “We always want to create a synergetic look, so I worked closely with her stylist and hairstylist.” Moore reached for Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation and Stay In Place Matte Powder for Joy’s face, while Tom Ford Lip Pencil and a clear gloss were key players that created the perfect, speech-ready pout.
What’s more? The getting ready vibes were immaculate, too. “It’s important to me to provide a peaceful environment to get her ready before all of the hectic fun that comes with award season,” Simon shares. “You know me, it’s always a good time in my chair,” Moore chimes in. “It’s such a major day, so as much fun as we do have, my client’s comfort is most important. I like to create a space that feels welcoming and where they can share their genuine feedback while enjoying themselves,” he says. “Samara created the vibe!” Unsurprisingly, “she has amazing music taste.”
As for what keeps this glam duo going during busy seasons such as these? Commemorating their clients’ accomplishments. “Award season is just a great time of celebrating the hard efforts and great works put into the world,” Simon says. Moore agrees. “I just love being able to be part of such major moments for my clients,” he says. “They’ve worked so hard for the recognition, and I love being able to help them feel beautiful at such an impactful time.”
2024
2023
le 10 September 2023
Festival Jazz à la Villette PARIS
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BIO
With her upcoming Verve Records debut, Linger Awhile, 22-year-old Samara Joy makes her case to join the likes of Sarah, Ella, and Billie as the next mononymous jazz singing sensation recorded by the venerable label. Her voice, rich and velvety yet precociously refined, has already earned her fans like Anita Baker and Regina King, appearances on the TODAY Show and millions of likes on TikTok — cementing her status as perhaps the first Gen Z jazz singing star. On Linger Awhile, Samara will introduce that massive audience to a slew of classic standards several times older than she is through her timeless, irresistible sound.
Samara is still relatively new to jazz. Growing up in the Bronx, it was music of the past — the music of her parent’s childhoods, as she put it — that she listened to most. She treasures her musical lineage, 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. “Sometimes I catch myself when I’m singing — I’m like, ‘Whoa, that was a dad moment’,” Samara quips. Eventually, she did follow in the family tradition, singing in church and then with the jazz band at Fordham High School for the Arts, with whom she won Best Vocalist at JALC’s Essentially Ellington competition. That led to her enrolling in SUNY Purchase’s jazz studies program, where she fell deeply in love with the music.
2022
