A Timeless Classic - Samara Joy, the Barbican Centre 19/11/23

It is hard to believe that US jazz singer Samara Joy only recently turned 24-years-old. In the past year she has won two Grammys and has recently been nominated for a third. After discovering her via China Moses' show on Jazz FM, I jumped at the chance to see her live. Taking place on the final night of the EFG London Jazz Festival, her sold-out gig at the Barbican Centre, was, in one word, mesmerising.

Joined by a trio of piano, double bass and drums, as soon as Samara sang on stage, I was transfixed. If you haven't already checked her out - I urge you to. Her voice has such a smooth, deep quality, invoking the jazz greats of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday.

I also really enjoyed her reworkings of jazz standards and adding lyrics to instrumentals. 'Nostalgia (the Day I Knew)', originally a solo Fats Navarro recording, was a wonderful highlight and showed great rapport with the audience. Her version of 'Guess Who I Saw Today' took on a new level when she mashed it up with Stevie Wonder's 'Lately' to a great crescendo. My only criticism - I wish the gig was longer.

Samara Joy's EP 'A Joyful Christmas' is out now.

Photo: Meredith Truax