Story and Photos by Natalie Tulloch
Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy returned to Purchase to perform a concert, reconnecting with the campus community where she began her music journey.
Joy performed in The Concert Hall at The Performing Arts Center on Nov. 9 for current students, alumni and more, highlighting the path from student to professional musician.
Attendees waiting in the lobby of The Performing Arts Center.
By 7:40 p.m., The Concert Hall was packed with attendees who were eager to see Joy perform.
“It's really special for her to come back to her old school and perform in front of everyone, I can't imagine that feeling,” said Marin Tyree, a sophomore journalism major.
Samara Joy (center), Jason Charos (left), David Mason (right).
The show began at 8 p.m., and as Joy took the stage, the audience settled in for a set featuring some songs from her recent album, Portrait. She opened with “Reincarnation of a Lovebird” and performed melodies such as “Peace of Mind/Dreams Come True.”
Joy is a Purchase College alumni and a three-time Grammy Award winner, most recently nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “A Joyful Holiday” and Best Jazz Performance for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me” featuring Sullivan Fortner.
She graduated in 2021 as a jazz studies major, where “she deeply fell in love” with jazz. Since graduating, Joy has continued to perform and record, gaining recognition for her work in the jazz music scene.
The band pictured from left to right: Connor Rohrer, Donavan Austin, Jason Charos, Paul Sikivie, David Mason, Evan Sherman, and Kendric McCallister.
Sela Foster, a sophomore jazz major, found interest in jazz during her senior year of high school when Joy visited Foster’s hometown and inspired her. “I just got to talk to her… she was super, super kind and just really inviting… she's actually the one who made me want to come [to Purchase],” Foster said.
“I always love seeing Samara. I've been following her for three and a half years now. So it's always nice to see how she's evolving and maturing through all this,” said Foster.
Samara Joy (front center) making a heart gesture.
Joy serves as an inspiration to many jazz students who see similarities in her journey.
“It's just really interesting because she started from just gospel music. She didn't start from a jazz background, which is the same as me,” said Jade Perez Quinn, a junior jazz major.
“Just seeing how she went from just an ordinary college student in a conservatory, not knowing anything, and now a Grammy-winning artist…she's very inspiring to me.”
Jade Perez Quinn (left) and Sela Foster (right) pictured at The Performing Arts Center before Samara Joy’s concert.
Kirin Lawrence, a sophomore film major, was dancing in his seat and finds Joy's music to be “liberating.” “I was listening to her a lot this summer. I’d be whizzing down empty roads at night… just having her sing in my ears at full blast,” he said.
Lawrence referred to Joy’s music as “nostalgic.” “It feels like a lullaby, feels like things I remember growing up listening to,” he said.
The concert followed a soundcheck and question and answer (Q&A) session, moderated by Professor Pete Malinverni, earlier in the day. The session, which took place at 4:30 p.m., was open to jazz majors and allowed students to listen to Joy rehearse and ask questions.
In the Q&A session, Joy spoke about what motivates her as an artist and how she stays grounded despite her success. “Strength comes from the fact that even if any of the accolades…didn't happen, I would still love music,” Joy said. “I would still love expressing myself through my voice and surrounding myself with people I'm inspired by and want to grow with.”
Samara Joy (left) and Kendric McCallister (right), Purchase alumni and Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and arranger.
Joy went on to emphasize the importance of her support network in navigating challenges. “I think that's what keeps me grounded and what keeps me focused and having people to rely on when I don't feel like I have the strength myself,” said Joy.
Samara Joy listening to questions asked by students.
Joy also offered advice to the jazz students, saying, “As a job of artists and musicians, if you want to pursue personal growth and pursue something more and continue to refine the things that you want based on those who have come before you, then you're going to have to push the boundary a little bit, you know, and not let people stop.”
Jazz students listening to Samara Joy’s sound check.
After the concert, attendees had the opportunity to purchase merchandise and have it signed by Joy. They lined up with merchandise in hand, taking the opportunity to meet Joy and exchange a few words after the performance.
A signed “Linger Awhile” vinyl.
“It's hard to make your voice sound like an instrument,” Foster said. “She has really bridged the gap between being a vocalist and being a musician.”
Samara Joy posing for a picture after the concert.
Foster noted that vocalists are often seen differently from other musicians. “I feel like that's something that really gets misconstrued—a lot of people think vocalists aren’t musicians. But we are; we’re just born with our instruments,” she added. “[Joy’s] done so much as a vocalist, as a musician, to really showcase her musicianship.”
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