Samara Joy turned a lot of heads during this year’s Grammy Awards in early February when the Bronx native beat out mainstream artists including Latto, Muni Long, Tobe Nwigwe and the likes for Best New Artist. The feat made the 22-year-old the first jazz vocalist to pull off the upset in the category since Esperanza Spalding beat Drake and Justin Bieber in 2011. However, a quick listen to her second full-length album Linger Awhile gives credence to the decision.

There’s a classic beauty in her voice when listening to her take on Nancy Wilson’s “Guess Who I Saw Today” that seems directly pulled from the past. A technical professional in her vocal performance makes sense why Linger Awhile also found Joy in getting a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album too. Alongside the awards recognition, she even partnered with Airbnb who gave her, alongside her family, a luxury home to stay in 

while in Los Angeles. If Joy is the future of jazz, all should be more than well within the great American genre.

Taking time to speak with Joy following her historic Grammy win, she discusses everything from getting congratulations from Beyoncé to the challenges of getting more Gen-z listeners into jazz.

BET.com: First off congratulations on winning Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album during the Grammys. You are the first jazz artist since Esperanza Spalding to get the Best New Artist award. Was it shocking to get recognition over more mainstream artists?

Samara Joy: Thank you so much! I was in complete shock and disbelief. The whole weekend felt surreal already so when I heard my name, the reaction caught on camera was truly how I felt inside. You always imagine what you’d say if something like this happens but, when you’re standing in front of the entire music industry and artists you’ve admired from a distance for so long, words just didn’t quite capture the gravity of the moment. Also, Beyoncé told me ‘congratulations’ so I’m set for life!

BET.com: Linger Awhile is such a masterful album. Especially if you're an audiophile because your rendition of "Misty" and "Guess Who I Saw Today" are simply masterful. What goes into selecting the renditions for a jazz album and where do they fit into the concept for Linger Awhile?

Samara Joy: Before getting into the studio, I thankfully had a lot of time on the road touring to experiment with my repertoire and develop my voice. So with Linger Awhile, I had to make sure I had a healthy mix of lesser-known songs that I wanted to put my stamp on as well as chestnuts that are more familiar because they are beautiful and continue to stand the test of time.

BET.com: How long did it take to put Linger Awhile together and what was the process of getting your team of musicians together including drummer Kenny Washington and pianist Ben Paterson?

Samara Joy: The process was fairly simple. Linger Awhile took two days to record and I believe there were only two or three rehearsals as well. Again, touring allowed me the chance to play with people within the jazz community, which is how I met the pianist Ben Paterson, who’s amazing. Kenny Washington is an incredible drummer with not only a deep knowledge of jazz but a resume filled with playing alongside so many greats. He was also my professor at SUNY Purchase and I knew it was only a matter of time before we shared the stage together.

BET.com: I remember having a conversation with Terrace Martin where I asked why hasn't jazz music been as popular as mainstream pop in the 70s and 80s. He responded that someone simply needs to make hits. Is it a challenge getting younger music listeners who are your age into jazz music?

Samara Joy: Understandably, it’s a challenge because, sonically, it just isn’t appealing to younger listeners since they’re fed so many heavily produced works of music, which is okay. However, I believe that music, acoustic or otherwise, shouldn’t be forced onto anyone but shared. And that’s all I aim to do: share the music that I love with as many people as I can, no matter their age.

BET.com: Can you describe the lifestyle of a 22-year-old jazz vocalist such as yourself outside of music? Do you have any outside hobbies?

Samara Joy: My schedule is pretty hectic these days but I love rollerskating, trying out new restaurants, or going to see a play/musical. TikTok is a favorite. I love reading at home and on the road as well.

BET.com: As someone who went to SUNY's Purchase College jazz Program as a voice major. What are some of the technical aspects of being a jazz vocalist that consumers of mainstream American pop wouldn't understand?

Samara Joy: We’re musicians. What you see on stage is the result of hours of practice in exercising the voice, improvisation when it comes to learning the melodies of songs, and the development of confidence in leading a band while building a relationship with the audience each and every night. It’s a beautiful labor of love and commitment.

BET.com: Your grandfather Elder Goldwire McLendon was a finalist on BET's Sunday Best and your father was a bass player for Andrae Crouch. How much has gospel influenced you musically and even vocally?

Samara Joy: I had an iPod filled with all of my dad’s favorite music. Albums that I listened to all the time were Kim Burrell’s Everlasting Life, The McLendon Family (my family’s album produced by my father and the late great Keith Diamond, who was my uncle-in-law), and J Moss V2. It is a part of my musical identity, deeply ingrained in my voice. I learned that it’s not about performance, it’s about fellowship and bringing people together with your gift.

BET.com: Are there artists outside of jazz that you are fans of?

Samara Joy: Lalah Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Jacob Collier, Jazmine Sullivan, Tank and the Bangas, Kirk Franklin, Jonathan McReynolds, there are so many!