Samara Joy McLendon, born in 1999, is an acclaimed American jazz singer. She first gained attention with her debut album in 2021 and was soon named Best New Artist by JazzTimes. Her follow-up album, Linger Awhile, topped the Billboard Jazz Albums chart in 2022. Recognized for her rich vocal style and artistry, she has won five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist in 2023, as well as multiple honors for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance.