Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy is bringing her acclaimed A Joyful Holiday tour to the Fisher Theatre on Thursday, December 19.

Her growing Detroit fan base can expect to hear music from the double Grammy-nominated 2023 Christmas album of the same name, featuring holiday favorites such as “The Christmas Song,” “Warm in December,” and “O Holy Night,” with cameos from Joy’s grandfather Elder Goldwire McLendon, of the famed gospel group the Savettes; and her father, Antonio McLendon, a vocalist and bassist for gospel star Andrae Crouch. 

Seeing the acclaimed singer perform in person with her folks will be a special treat for the Detroit audience, getting to witness the genesis of Joy’s sensational voice.

“I’m looking forward to the time I get to spend with my family, both onstage and after the show,” she says. “Throughout the year I don’t get an opportunity to see them much with my rigorous touring schedule, and so being able to set aside a couple of weeks around the holidays when we would get together anyway is a privilege. 

“I also hope that people get a better understanding of all the music that informs who I am as an artist, starting with the roots given to me by my family."

Joy, who turned 25 last month, is one of the more endearing jazz talents in the genre. Her warm, cashmere voice is reminiscent of jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, while still embodying a modern feel. In 2019, Joy won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, a prestigious honor for a rising jazz vocalist. 

After graduating from college in 2021, Joy released her self-titled debut album and followed that up with the Grammy-winning record Linger Awhile. Internationally, she’s increased her fanbase with a modernist twist on the American songbook. In Detroit, Joy is somewhat of a household commodity, having performed at Cliff Bell’s, the Blue Llama Jazz Club, Christ Church Cranbrook, and as a headliner at last year’s Detroit Jazz Festival.

“What I love most about performing in Detroit is the energy and supportive spirit from the people,” Joy says. “Because of its rich history in music, I always feel that the audience understands and appreciates what I do even more.”

Between touring globally, Joy put out her third album, Portrait, in October, which took shape during her investigation of orchestral and big band music. Portrait reflects her current state as a vocalist, composer, bandleader, and arranger.

Composing is another dimension of Joy’s overall genius, and it resonates handsomely on Linger Awhile, on which she wrote lyrics for jazz standards. With Portrait, Joy continues in that vein, writing lyrics for more complex melodies by well-respected jazz composers. 

ome of the singers who’ve influenced her vocal style include Vaughan, Abbey Lincoln, and Betty Carter. And when it comes to composing and writing lyrics, Joy says her most recent inspirations include Billy Strayhorn, Jon Hendricks, and Duke Ellington. 

Joy’s foundation is built on classic jazz, and she’s relentless when it comes to making music that’s authentically hers and appeals to both seasoned jazz devotees and budding musicheads from her generation. 

“People know something that’s authentic versus something that’s not,” she says. “It’s nothing that’s fake or that’s put into a jazz character. My sound is real, no matter what, and I think good music resonates with people.”

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Samara Joy performs Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Fisher Theatre. For tickets, visit broadwayindetroit.com.