A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. While her family history is deeply musical, she didn’t delve into the jazz tradition until college at SUNY Purchase, where she won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. After releasing her self-titled debut in 2021, she released her breakout album, Linger Awhile, which earned her Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best New Artist.