2023 has been quite the year for jazz star Samara Joy. The singer not only won her first two GRAMMYs (including a win in the much coveted category Best New Artist), but she has seen the whirlwind success of her album Linger Awhile and its subsequent deluxe edition and been whisked around the world on tour. And the 23-year-old phenom is just getting started. In fact, she’s just released her latest single, a studio version of her fan-favorite live track “Tight.”
Samara’s self-produced studio version of “Tight,” a cover of Betty Carter’s 1976 original, was recorded at the famed Electric Lady Studios and features her bandmembers Luther Allison on piano, Mikey Migliore on bass and Evan Sherman on drums. They glide alongside the singer as she flexes her vocal muscle, flittering from notes high to low with crystal-clear precision as she tells the story of looking for a wayward man while simultaneously giving advice to hold on to your love as tight as can be.
The visual for “Tight” takes us along for some of the singer’s journey over the past year. Clips from a live performance and moments with fans are interspersed with scenes from the actual recording in the studio. The video lets us into Samara’s joy in both the creation and performing of her music. It also showcases just how masterful the young upstart is when it comes to her gift, showing that she indeed has the range to become just as much of a legend as those which she emulates.
Samara Joy is the real deal and her undeniable talent is one that we’ll definitely be holding onto for years to come. Listen to “Tight” via Spotify right here and then watch a master at work in the song’s video below.
