New Music Monday — Samara Joy; Jazzmeia Horn; Tenia Nelson Trio

It’s New Music Monday! Check it out on Lunchtime! with Arturo Gómez as he debuts music from Samara Joy, Jazzmeia Horn, and the Tenia Nelson Trio on Monday, September 16 at noon.

Samara Joy: “Portrait”
Two-time Grammy® winning vocalist Samara Joy has achieved more success than most vocalists have in their entire career. The Bronx raised Samara was born into a musical family and despite her amazing rise to stardom around the globe through her albums and concerts, she remains humble and realizes she can not rest on her laurels as she still has a lifetime of music to explore. Moreover, she desires to hone her skills as a songwriter.

“Portrait” is the sequel to “Linger Awhile” her highly acclaimed previous recording. This time out Samara explores new directions without losing the essence of what has made her so popular, it is also her first recording at the legendary Rudy van Gelder Studios. Fellow multi-Grammy® winning trumpeter Brian Lynch was the producer for the session and Joy was incredibly pleased that he allowed her and the band to remain the focal point and to play in a live concert setting in the studio.

Jazzmeia Horn: “Messages”
Another young powerhouse vocalist currently on the scene is the Dallas born and raised Jazzmeia Horn. Winner of the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition then in 2015 she won the Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition. She also made history as the first Black woman to be nominated for a Grammy® in the Best Instrumental Composition category. Talking about Grammy® nominations, both of her previous albums were Grammy® nominated. This time out with one exception, all the songs on the recording are originals with Jazzmeia expressing insights into her personal and professional experiences. The one exception is a stunning re-imagined version of the standard, “You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me.”  Another change of direction for Horn this time out is she chose to be accompanied by a small ensemble instead of the big band she led for her previous album.

Jazzmeia Horn will be performing at Dazzle Denver on September 19 and 20. Click here to view the video of her first single “Messages.”

Tenia Nelson Trio: “Blues & Illusion”
One of the Front Range’s most esteemed artists is the jovial Tenia Nelson, an extraordinary pianist, educator, and voting member of the Recording Academy that awards the yearly Grammys®. Although originally from the San Francisco Bay Area Tenia has lived most of her life in Denver. She has two trios, as a devotee of Thelonious Monk, a major influence, she leads Spherio, dedicated to playing the music of Monk. Her other trio, TNT or Tenia Nelson Trio is the one playing on “Blues & Illusion.” Tenia on piano accompanied by Brendan O’Donoghue-bass and Alex Tripp on drums.

“Blues and Illusion” is the first single from their soon-to-be-released album.

Now in its 21st year of debuting the latest arrivals to the KUVO Jazz library, many of them are played ahead of their official release date. In addition to the music comments, I’ll provide a few tidbits about the artist, if it’s a new or an up-and-coming artist. It all begins at Noon every Monday.

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