Samara Joy Headlines BBC Proms 2025 With Jazz Classics
Jazz is getting a prime-time spotlight at the BBC Proms 2025. On Saturday, July 19, the Royal Albert Hall is set to fill with the timeless sounds of the Great American Songbook, reimagined by the breakout sensation, Samara Joy. The 24-year-old vocalist, fresh from Grammy triumphs, will be joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by the innovative Miho Hazama. As tickets hit the market on May 17, jazz fans are already buzzing about what promises to be a summer highlight.
Samara Joy’s journey from the Bronx to Britain’s most celebrated classical stage is a testament to her meteoric rise. Just five years ago, she stunned the jazz world by taking the top spot at the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition—at just 19. But it was her voice—rich, soulful, and brimming with swing—that set her apart, turning her debut albums into Grammy-winning affairs and earning her dates at iconic venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Blue Note.
A Night Blending Standards and Modern Jazz
This Proms event isn’t just another tribute night. While staples from the Great American Songbook—think Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, and Ellington—promise nostalgia, Joy’s recent material brings the sound up to date. Her self-titled album and its follow-up, "Linger Awhile," both scooped up major awards for good reason: they make old songs sound new again without losing jazz’s roots. Expect lush orchestrations from the BBC Concert Orchestra and fresh arrangements courtesy of Miho Hazama, who’s built a reputation for bridging big-band tradition and contemporary flair.
The concert is part of the wider BBC Proms 2025 series, which launches July 18 and runs right through September 13. While the Proms is famous for its symphonic classics and operatic delights, jazz nights stand out as rare but treasured gems. With Joy at the helm, July 19 is set to draw jazz lovers and newcomers alike. Those unable to snag tickets—ranging from £11 to £56—will still get a front-row seat at home thanks to live and replay broadcasts on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer.
The selection of Samara Joy reflects how the Proms continues to embrace artists pushing jazz forward. It’s a high-profile booking, acknowledging the genre’s growing audience and Joy’s own ability to connect across generations. For fans of standards, modern jazz explorers, or anyone who loves a show-stealing voice, this concert is shaping up as an unmissable fixture in next year’s musical calendar.
