JAZZ SUPERSTAR SINGER SAMARA JOY TO PERFORM

Special pre-sale code for Buffalo Rising readers for “A HAPPY HOLIDAY with SAMARA and the McLENDON FAMILY”.

It’s Christmas in July, as the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts (UBCFA) has announced that hit jazz singer Samara Joy will perform a concert in December to celebrate the season in A JOYFUL HOLIDAY with Samara and the McLendon family. The concert will take place on December 17, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

Buffalo Rising is pleased to offer our readers the link to pre-sale tickets for this not-to-be-missed show, which will be broadcast live from Wednesday, July 24 at 10:00 a.m. to Thursday, July 25 at 10:00 p.m. The special pre-sale code is JOYFULCFA and available online only at ubcfa.org or Ticketmaster. Don’t sleep on this one. Those of us lucky enough to catch one of his fantastic shows in 2022 have
We’ve been asking for his return. This is an early holiday gift for the Western New York public!

The three-time Grammy winner will perform with musicians including Shedrick Mitchell on piano, Eric Wheeler on bass and Charles Haynes on drums as well as members of her McLendon musical family, including her father, Antonio.

She has been performing to sold-out audiences since her 2021 debut at age 22 with her self-titled album. With Grammy Awards in 2023 for Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album, followed by Best Jazz Performance this year, her latest studio album, Linger Awhile, has reached No. 1 on Amazon Best Sellers, Billboard Jazz, Pandora Trendsetters, iTunes and more.

Originally from the Bronx, Samara comes from a musical family. Her paternal grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, founded the Philadelphia gospel group The Savettes. Her father is an accomplished singer and bassist who has toured with gospel musician Andrae Couch. Joy says, “Singing alongside my family has always been a special time between us, but this December I’m thrilled to be able to sing with them.”
“I share this special feeling with all of you! It is a great joy for me to present my first models, the McLendon family, during a month-long tour across the United States.”

Tickets are $44, $49 and $79. For more information on tickets, call 716-645-2787 or [email protected]. If you prefer to purchase in person, the CFA Box Office will open for general ticket sales at 12 p.m. on Friday, July 26 and will resume its summer hours on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For additional information on other previously announced performances, including Ben Folds, Rickie Lee Jones and Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen, or to view the full schedule of UBCFA programs and activities, visit the Events and Exhibits webpage.