A Joyful Holiday in Bloomington, MN

Vocalist
Samara Joy
burst into the public eye with her 2022 album
Linger Awhile
, taking home the Best New Artist award at the 2023 Grammys. A rarity for a jazz artist, the award served to underscore her deep artistry and strong grasp of the jazz tradition. On her first Christmas album, 2023's
Joyful Holiday
, she further illuminates that tradition, applying her warm style to a handful of holiday classics. Once again produced by
's
Matt Peirson
, the album also finds her re-teaming with her quartet, featuring guitarist
Pasquale Grasso
, pianist
Ben Paterson
, bassist
David Wong
, and drummer
Kenny Washington
. Also featured throughout is pianist
Sullivan Fortner
, whose nuanced and empathetic playing has made him a go-to accompanist for vocalists.
Joy
and her ensemble offer gorgeously rendered takes of the 1950s standard "Warm in December," "The Christmas Song," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." She and
Fortner
also settle into a cozy duo version of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Me," a lesser performed, if no less enticing, ballad originally done by
Stevie Wonder
and
the Supremes
in the '60s. Central to the album is her rendition of "O Holy Night," which finds her coalescing her jazz and gospel roots. Along with
on Hammond B-3 organ, the song features several of
's own singing musical family, including her grandfather
Elder Goldwire McLendon
(former leader of
the Savettes
), her father
Antonio McLendon
(a noted singer and bassist), her uncle
Laurone McLendon
, and her cousins
Tiera Lovell Rowe
Alana Alexander
. Rich with vibrant vocal harmonies that reflect the love
has for her family, the song -- as with all of
-- showcases just how virtuosic and steeped in experience she is as a singer. ~ Matt Collar