Tag Archives: jazz vocals

Arachnophonia: Samara Joy “Portrait”

Posted on by
Reply

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Susanne (class of 2026) and features Samara Joy’s 2024 album Portrait. Thanks, Susanne!

Samara Joy

Portrait

Samara Joy - Portrait (album cover)

If you’re in the mood for something warm, timeless, and smooth on the ears, Portrait by Samara Joy is the kind of record you can sink into. The album leans into classic jazz tradition with standards and old-school arrangements, but it doesn’t feel stuck in the past. Joy’s voice has this effortless clarity and control that makes every song feel intimate, like she’s singing right across the room from you. There’s a sense of confidence and ease in Joy’s sound and artistic choices that makes the whole album feel inviting.

Portrait is especially charming because of how personal it feels. Even though many of the songs are standards, Joy approaches them like she’s gently reshaping them to fit her own story and style. The arrangements are rich but never overwhelming, giving her voice plenty of space to shine, and the overall vibe is cozy, familiar, and reflective. I found that it’s the kind of album I like to put on when I want to slow down a bit and just let the music wrap around me. The vinyl is available at Parsons Music Library, so definitely go check it out!

Samara-Joy-by-Ambe-J.-Williams

Arachnophonia: Samara Joy “Portrait”

Posted on by
Reply

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Laeticia (class of 2026) and features Samara Joy’s 2024 album Portrait. Thanks, Laeticia!

Samara Joy

Portrait

Samara Joy - Portrait (album cover)

Samara Joy’s Voice Is the Jazz Revival We Needed

I have always loved jazz. The problem is, I only ever reached for the classics: John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, etc. My relationship with the genre lived comfortably in the past, and I had convinced myself that is just where great jazz existed. Then I put on Samara Joy’s Portrait vinyl, and suddenly the future of jazz felt exciting.

Samara Joy is a 25-year-old vocalist from the Bronx who has been sweeping award shows and proving that jazz is not a museum piece, but is still evolving. Coming from a gospel background, she channels the spirit of the legends I grew up listening to, but she does not imitate them. She is carrying the tradition forward in her own voice, and that distinction matters.

Listening to tracks like “A Fool in Love (Is Called A Clown)” and “You Stepped Out Of A Dream” on the Portrait vinyl reminded me why I fell in love with jazz in the first place. That warmth, that intimacy, the way a vocalist can make you feel like they are singing directly to you. It is all there. But what really struck me was realizing I had been missing out on this entire generation of artists because I had stopped looking forward. Samara Joy reignited something I did not realize had dimmed within me. I was reminded of how one’s soul comes alive through soul full music.

Samara-Joy-Portrait1

The vinyl experience made it even more powerful. This was not just background music. It captured my attention and encouraged me to be intentional with how I consume jazz music. Hearing the depth of her voice, the live-room feel of the recording, the deliberate space in the arrangements, it all reminded me that jazz sounds best when you are fully present for it. No shuffling playlists, just sitting with the music the way it deserves.

What gives me hope is that artists like Samara Joy are introducing jazz to younger audiences while respecting what made the genre great. She’s proof that jazz is not stuck in the past. It is just waiting for the right voices to carry it into the future. If you, like me, have been living in the archives, Portrait by Samara Joy is your invitation to care about contemporary jazz again.

Arachnophonia: Laufey “A Matter of Time”

Posted on by
1

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Joyce (class of 2027) and features Laufey’s 2025 album A Matter of Time. Thanks, Joyce!

Laufey

A Matter of Time

Laufey - A Matter of Time

I chose A Matter of Time by Laufey because her music is a combination of genres that I have always been drawn to. I like jazz, and Laufey’s sound blends that style with pop in a way that feels both modern and timeless. I think her music is especially compelling to me because of its classical influence. She often sings with an operatic tone, and her background in classical music as a cellist shapes the structure and emotional depth of her songs. That classical foundation gives her music a richness that sets it apart from typical pop albums.

This album is important to me because it feels versatile and comforting. My favorite song, “Lover Girl,” is especially catchy and lively, and I think it is good to listen to in everyday moments. It is the kind of song I enjoy playing while going on a walk or cleaning my room. Overall, I think this studio album captures why I appreciate Laufey as an artist. She creates music that is approachable and fun, yet grounded in a strong classical background.

Arachnophonia: Frank Sinatra “Strangers in the Night”

Posted on by
Reply

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Rocio (class of 2027) and features a vinyl record by Frank Sinatra. Thanks, Rocio!

Finding an Old Soul in the Stacks: My Afternoon with Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra - Strangers in the Night (1966 album cover)

We all have our study traps: 8:15, tea, coffee, or the intense silence of the top floor of the main library. My go-to lately has been the Music Library, not just for the quiet, but for the escape.

I found myself in front of the vinyl section, and my eyes went directly to the Frank Sinatra – Strangers in the Night record. It felt like finding a classic novel you’ve only ever heard quoted. I pulled out the vinyl: the cover was cool but simple. It was just Sinatra, looking effortlessly detached. It felt like an invitation.

The best part is that I didn’t even need to own a record player to listen to it. And yes, I know I can find Sinatra on Spotify (hot take: I really don’t like Apple Music); but I sometimes like going to the source. There’s something about vinyl that makes the music feel more authentic —- but that’s just my opinion.

Anyways, back to the amazing players we have in the library (one in study room 1, one in the main reading room and a portable record player you can check out). I took the record over, plugged my AirPods into the player, and lowered the needle. An unmistakable trumpet began, and Sinatra’s voice cut through—smooth, clear, and completely transporting. I listened to the whole album. There’s an intentionality to vinyl that an algorithm can’t replicate.

This is the secret no one tells you about the Music Library: it’s not just a resource; it’s an experience. It’s a chance to connect with music the way it was originally meant to be heard — with intention. You’re not just clicking ‘shuffle’; you’re handling art, carefully placing the needle, and committing to an entire album’s journey.

So, whether you’re a vinyl veteran or just vibe-curious, I challenge you. Go to the Music Library. Find
that call number (in this case, RM 1630.18.S47), just browse the vinyl section until an icon calls out to you, or ask one of our friendly library staff to help you find something!

Plug in your headphones at the turntable station and have a private listening party. Or, if you’re like me and the experience was too good to leave behind, you can simply check it
out. Yes, you can take Frank Sinatra back to your dorm, just remember to bring him back to the Music Library too.

Arachnophonia : Norah Jones “Come Away With Me”

Posted on by
Reply

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student worker Emma A. (class of 2021) and features singer/songwriter Norah Jones’ 2002 album Come Away With Me. Thanks, Emma!

Norah Jones

Come Away With Me

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

One of my favorite albums (and singers) is Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me.This might sound odd, but it’s what I most frequently listen to when cooking or baking — it’s the perfect rainy day music.

Her tone is so soft and sweet and her songs are very melodic. I love that intertwines jazz and blues because it’s hard to find that type of music now. Jones was a lot more popular in the early 2000s — I was first introduced to the album when my mom and dad would play it in our house when I was in elementary school.

She has lots of awards and has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. In the beginning of the 2000s Billboard deemed her the top jazz artist of the decade. She has won nine Grammys and writes her own songs as well as plays the piano.

Norah Jones in 2007

Norah Jones at Bright Eyes at Town Hall 29 May 2007 (credit: Yaffa)

Come Away With Me is the album that kick started her career and launched many of her songs into popularity. The album is a fusion of jazz with country, blues, folk and pop. It was certified diamond, meaning that it sold over 27 million copies. This album alone was enough to win Jones five Grammys, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. My personal favorite songs from the album are “Don’t Know Why” and “Shoot the Moon,” but all of the songs are so unique and enjoyable in their own way. I tend to listen to a lot of mainstream pop because it’s always on everywhere and I want to stay up-to-date on all the trending music, however, this is a nice change of pace from that. I think it’s important to listen to a wide range of artists and music, and Norah Jones is the kind of singer that I believe almost everyone would like.

Some other singers that mirror her musical vibe are Diana Krall, Corinne Bailey Rey, Alicia Keys, Adele, and Duffy. I’d say her style is a bit more laid back and the songs aren’t as fit for blasting on the radio, but her songs are written about similar themes and use little auto-tuning or electronics.