Dwain

• Samara Joy’s Portrait is a stunning display of vocal jazz mastery, sophisticated arranging, and deep reverence for the tradition. With each track, Joy continues to establish herself as a modern torchbearer of the genre, channeling the spirit of jazz greats while bringing her unique artistry to the forefront. The album is a dynamic blend of swing, ballads, and Latin influences, all tied together by Joy’s warm, velvety voice and impeccable phrasing.

• From the first note to the last, Portrait delivers multiple highlights that showcase Joy’s versatility and the album’s impeccable arrangements. “You Stepped Out of a Dream” kicks things off with a swinging call-and-response introduction that transitions into a relaxed half-time feel, enhanced by Jason Charos’ intricate arranging and Joy’s rich lower register. “Reincarnation of a Lovebird” presents a breathtaking two-minute vocal cadenza, honoring Charles Mingus’ legacy with masterful dynamic interplay and powerful horn trades.

• Ballad lovers will appreciate “Autumn Nocturne”, where Joy’s emotive delivery and rubato phrasing channel the spirit of Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae. Meanwhile, “No More Blues” highlights Joy’s vocal agility and delivers thrilling trumpet-trombone trades. Closing the album, “Day By Day” brings a big-band swing energy, featuring a bold introduction, a standout alto sax solo, and a commanding final vocal entrance that ensures the album ends on a high note.

• Portrait is an album that solidifies Samara Joy’s place in contemporary jazz. Her voice is rich, commanding, and effortlessly expressive, breathing new life into standards while also introducing fresh interpretations. The arrangements throughout the album—crafted by multiple different members of the band —elevate the material, providing a perfect foundation for Joy’s artistry. The balance of swing, ballads, and Latin grooves ensures a well-rounded listening experience, with tracks like Reincarnation of a Lovebird and No More Blues standing out as particularly memorable.

• For jazz lovers and new listeners alike, Portrait is a must-hear, showcasing not only Joy’s immense vocal talent but also her keen musicality and deep respect for the jazz tradition. This album is a testament to her continued growth and potential, leaving us eager to hear what she does next.

Overall score: 9.1/10

Max

• Samara’s Portrait on Verve successfully solidifies her place as a standard-bearer of jazz performance. It is a release that reveals all that Samara has to offer, as she is not only the vocalist on the record but also a producer and lyricist. Portrait adequately displays the depth of Samara’s understanding of the jazz tradition and further proves her profound discernment. This record provides an expansion of Samara, equipped with an 8-piece band and spectacular, spot-on arrangements utilizing a variety of writing techniques ranging from Big Band-like introductions, false endings, and powerfully executed extended outros. It’s a very colorful album, quite figuratively and literally (as there is a purple vinyl version, which is currently sitting on my record shelf). With that sentiment, there is quite a lot of musical coloring going on with this product. The record’s horn-blending, vocal range and dynamics, rhythm section comping, and percussive elements from drummer Evan Sherman all contribute to the variety of colors present on this release.

• There is also a refreshing setlist included here, with such titles as Mingus’ “Reincarnation of a Lovebird,” standards like “You’ve Stepped Out of A Dream” and “Day By Day,” as well as an original ballad entitled “A Fool in Love.” A highlight is Jobim’s “No More Blues,” featuring an array of latin or bossa nova musical practices. Samara’s 2 minute vocal intro on “Reincarnation” is a masterclass in dynamic control and phrasing. It’s not only the beginnings of phrases that matter, but you’ve got to stick the landing too. Samara excels at this. Her style and vibrato is adequately on display on the tune “Autumn Nocturne” in addition to “A Fool in Love,” which includes a false ending and awesome saxophonic musings from Kendric McCallister. Kendirc also kills it with his arrangement of “Reincarnation,” while many of the players on the record contributed to all of the arrangements of these tracks. “Now and Then” is a nice surprise, as it correctly begins with a piano intro, seeing as it was written by bop pianist and educator Barry Harris. Samara’s lyrics to her previous mentor’s tune are brilliant. I also dig the moments where the piano doubles the vocal melody during that performance. The album ends with an in-your-face swinger, “Day By Day.” It begins as a simmer, yet blossoms into one hell of a chart from there. Equipped with a truly swinging trombone solo and an unleashed Samara Joy, the album concludes with a true banger.

• Portrait is one of those records where I always hear something I may have missed the last time I listened to it. It’s an album that effectively displays the beauty and color of the human voice, while also showcasing great instrumental performance. I applaud Samara with this release, as it demonstrates her true love for the music and the art form. She displays an explosive ability to grow in her abilities and continuously work on her craft. Kudos to this legend-in-the-making. I will be waiting on the edge of my desk chair awaiting the next one.

Overall score: 9.3/10