Best wishes poured in from all around the world. But a special frisson of joy came from The Soraya Stage in Los Angeles. That’s because Sunday March 26 at 7 pm, the 23-year-old Wonder Woman Samara Joy, @samarajoysings), who (how can we put this calmly?) killed at the GRAMMY® Awards a month ago 🎉 will roll out her fabulous voice fronting the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
Joy won her two GRAMMY® Awards, Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album, at the 65th Annual GRAMMY® Awards on February 5, 2023.
Born and raised in the Bronx, the rising Jazz phenom will join the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra on The Soraya stage for a unique pairing. Founded by Jeff Hamilton and brothers John Clayton and Jeff Clayton, the Clayton-Hamilton’ites has been swinging for more than 36 years enamoring audiences for as long. Joy, a deeply emotive vocalist, exploded onto the scene in 2019 at the age of 21—surprising audiences with the power she packs and her “lighter than air” and “understated, swingy rhythm,” (Kevin Whitehead, NPR).
The Soraya, the place to go for jazz in Los Angeles, successfully concluded its second annual Jazz at Naz festival a few weeks ago. We have heard top quality jazz soloists, combos, ensembles and big band orchestras like the mighty Clayton-Hamilton in this pristine hall. A little bird told Soraya artistic and executive director Thor Steingraber that the Grammys would be a big night for Ms. Joy. Otherwise, how did he know to book her?? What a prime opportunity to hear a scrumptious vocalist at her prime. It’s going to be a party. Congratulations, Samara.
Samara Joy with the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra | The Soraya | Sunday Mar 26