Samara Pleasure will obtain the Ella Fitzgerald Award on the 2025 Montreal Jazz Pageant on June 28 at Maison symphonique, Place des Arts. She is the twenty fifth winner of the award, which is given yearly to a jazz singer who has made a significant impression on the worldwide scene. Thundercat, Natalia Lafourcade, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Duncan Hunter Neale will even be honored with awards.
Final yr, Pleasure launched a brand new studio album titled Portrait, which highlighted the 25-year-old Bronx native’s progress as each a celebrated vocalist in addition to a songwriter, arranger and band chief. “A well of inspiration that never runs dry because of the different streams that flow in, constantly pouring into the main source. That’s what comes to mind when I think of this project and the musicians who created it with me,” says Pleasure of the challenge. “Eight musicians, eight contemporary views and musical backgrounds – all joined collectively in a context designed for progress and exploration.
In February, Portrait was named Excellent Jazz Album by the NAACP. Pleasure was additionally nominated for a similar award again in 2023 for her 2022 album Linger Awhile, which additionally received her a Grammy for Greatest Jazz Album. Pleasure has additionally received Grammys for Greatest New Artist in 2023, Greatest Jazz Vocal Album for A Joyful Vacation, and two finest jazz efficiency wins (for the fan-favorite “Tight” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me,” initially recorded by Stevie Surprise).
Formally titled the Pageant Worldwide de Jazz de Montréal, the occasion takes place June 26 to July 5. Headlining performances embrace Nas’ rendition of Illmatic reside with a symphony orchestra, Ayra Starr, Ben Harper, and Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. The pageant entails near 150 indoor live shows and greater than 350 free, open-air reveals, offered on the Place des Festivals.
Purchase Samara Pleasure’s music on CD and vinyl now.
