Samara Joy McLendon, a jazz vocalist from New York City’s Bronx, was named Best New Artist at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. He was nominated in a category with Anitta, Omar Apollo, DOMi & JD Beck, Muni Long, Latto, Maneskin, Tobe Nwigwe, Molly Tuttle and Wet Leg. Olivia Rodrigo, previous winner of the same title, presented the award to the artist.
In his acceptance speech at the 2023 Grammys, the artist expressed his deep admiration and appreciation for earning the prize.
He stated:
“I have followed you on TV for a long time….. Thank you so much for this difference, and thank you to everyone who has listened and supported me… I am grateful to be here for who I am… to be here just by being myself myself, by being as I was born.”
Samara, in addition to winning Best New Artist, won Best Jazz Vocal Album for her latest song, Linger Awhile.
All About Samara Joy McLendon
Samara Joy McLendon was born and raised in the Bronx area of New York City. He was born on November 11, 1999, and grew up in a musical household. Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, his grandparents, were members of the Philadelphia-based gospel group The Savettes. He stated to NPR that his closest relatives are also musically oriented.
He states:
“My dad was a bass player, so there was a lot of funk, soul, and R&B. But he’s also someone who mostly grew up in church and played in church.”
McLendon chose music for his further education after being inspired by its musical history, which led to his enrollment in the State University of New York’s jazz studies department. Jon Faddis, a lecturer and trumpeter, taught him there. Samara rose to fame in high school while attending Fordham High School for the Arts. He played with the school’s jazz band and won Fordham University’s “Essentially Ellington” competition in New York City.
Continuing her success, the vocalist received the 2019 Samara McLendon International Jazz Vocalist Award. In 2021, she graduated magna cum laude and released Samara Joy, her debut studio album, in conjunction with Matt Pierson, who later became her manager. During this time, he also posted several TikTok performances that went viral and got over a million views. He won a Grammy for his second album, Linger Awhile, which was released in 2022.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
