SFJAZZ Singles: Samara Joy performs “Reincarnation of a Lovebird”

Watch Samara Joy perform live at SFJAZZ:

About this clip:
GRAMMY-winning singer Samara Joy and her band perform the Charles Mingus composition “Reincarnation of a Lovebird” during their performance on May 17, 2024 — part of the 2023-24 Season and broadcast on Fridays Live.

About this concert:
Still in her early 20s, Samara Joy is already setting the music world ablaze. Her 2022 Verve Records debut “Linger Awhile” earned her two well-deserved GRAMMY wins, for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best New Artist — the first time a jazz musician has won the prestigious newcomer’s award since Esperanza Spalding over a decade ago.

Hailing from a family of musicians in the Bronx with roots in gospel, Joy began her journey with jazz at age 17, winning Best Vocalist honors at Lincoln Center’s “Essentially Ellington” competition. Within two years she was a star student of piano legend Barry Harris and bowled over a panel including Christian McBride, Jane Monheit, and Dee Dee Bridgewater to win the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.

Since then, Joy’s profile has risen exponentially through the release of her self-titled debut in 2021 and winning Best New Artist in 2021’s JazzTimes Critics Poll. She has introduced legions of young fans to the Great American Songbook through her TikTok account and released “Linger Awhile” to rapturous acclaim.

It’s not an accident that Joy was signed to Verve Records — the label built specifically around Ella Fitzgerald — since the young singer is clearly on the path to continue the tradition of the First Lady of Song and conquer new worlds along the way.

PERSONNEL:
Samara Joy: vocals
David Mason: alto saxophone
Kendric McCallister: tenor saxophone
Jason Charos: trumpet
Donavan Austin: trombone
Connor Rohrer: piano
Paul Sikivie: bass
Evan Sherman: drums

Learn more at SFJAZZ.org

***SFJAZZ is a non-profit organization that presents year round jazz concerts, festivals and educational programs at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, CA.

[bobblues]

Welcome to a new era of creative energy with excellent craftmanship. I played with Sarah and Ella. Samara has the equipment and now she going into the realm of Betty and Carmen.

[TheCallyTeddy]

I've now seen her live twice (just listened to her last night) and I'm still in absolute awe. Amazing things are in store for this incredibly unique singer and....man.... I'm still at a loss for words for what she can do.

[CED.Dweller]

The way she bent notes...otherworldly. Brilliant artist, absolutely brilliant.

[CarlHamilton]

Her accuracy and creativity is out of this world. She’s simply incredible

[redbuzz]

Absolutely musical brilliance overload from Samara and her band… Is there an award for this performance possibly???

[CozyLoveAbovethehate]

What a dear gift from Abba to earth - may she be so much a proof, even more powerfully so - that humble is the way to power, and humble sees others - through the eyes of Love, dearly - no matter what the self hate we learned against us 💛 May Abba continue to gift the dear gifts of Heaven to earth to show - Power belongs to Abba, Immanuel, and Holy Spirit - and Mercy is SO crucial - when Life is want we want - True, Abundant, So Merciful and So Beautiful - for Always! Lots of Love for sister Samara! 💛

[timdelaney]

Wonderful singing and musical performance! It's so good to see the classic 1940s bandstand look with the four panels in front of the brass section. Thank you all!

[klaus]

Es ist so wunderbar. Danke Samara für dieses Erlebnis. Danke 🙏 für deine Stimme und danke der gesamten Band für die schöne Musik.

[WilliamJohnson-rlgc]

Wow wow beautiful I just love ❤️ it what beauty in her voice.

[danielletremblay]

Beautifully and intelligently crafted arrangement and vocalization!

[Eastpointe]

Samara Joy and her band sounded spectacular!❤

[timdelaney]

The last time I heard this song performed live was Kurt Elling. He would like this version!