Samara Joy - Samara Joy [180G/ Ltd Ed Gold Vinyl]

Samara Joy is a singing star in ascendancy. The young vocalist attracted attention in 2019 after winning the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Now, the 21-year-old delivers her self-titled debut release, which puts her spin on jazz standards from the Great American Songbook. Produced by Grammy-nominated veteran Matt Pierson, she's joined by jazz guitar virtuoso Pasquale Grasso and his trio (Ari Roland and Kenny Washington) for a release that furthers Joy's reputation as one of America's most promising young jazz vocalists.

Joy's interpretations balance the breezy-fresh feel of a relative newcomer with a reverence for a tradition she is now undoubtably part of. "But Beautiful", "Let's Dream in the Moonlight" and "Jim" pay homage to Billie Holiday's original versions, and she acknowledges the great Nat King Cole with versions of "It Only Happens Once" and "The Trouble with Me is You". "Stardust" is another nod to Cole, showcasing a talent for storytelling well beyond her years. As she says, "There's nothing like hearing someone who understands sing it to you."

Moods range from the happy-go-lucky simplicity of "Everything Happens to Me" to the longing of "Lover Man".

1. Stardust
2. Everything Happens To Me
3. If You Never Fall In Love With Me
4. Let's Dream In The Moonlight
5. It Only Happens Once
6. Jim
7. (It's Easy To See) The Trouble With Me Is You
8. If You'd Stay The Way I Dream About You
9. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)
10. Only A Moment Ago
11. Moonglow
12. But Beautiful