With Black Music Month coming to a close, Samara Joy, Bronx native and five time Grammy-winning jazz singer released a new single “Flor de Lis (Upside Down),” today, June 27.
“Flor de Lis (Upside Down)” reinvents the Brazilian classic originally written by Djavan nearly 50 years ago. The jazz song pays tribute to Brazil’s enduring influence on the genre. Originally sung only in Portuguese, Joy sings the second half in English, creating a whole new mood with the change in language.
“Although it’s a heartbreaking story, the poetic lyrics and beautiful melody resonated with me immediately,” says Joy. “I got the chance to sing ‘Flor de Lis’ in Rio during my first trip there over a year ago and hearing the audience join in harmony only cemented how important this song is to the fabric of Brazilian music and culture.”
The vocals, reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald and Miriam Makeba, are rich with warmth and vibrance when she sings in Portuguese and English. In between the change in languages, a building trumpet solo plays the interlude. By the end of “Flor de Lis (Upside Down),” the song explodes with energy from Joy’s belting and vocal runs, vibrant drums and a flaring trumpet.
The “Flor de Lis (Upside Down)” cover artwork features a painting by Brazilian illustrator Anna Cunha.
“Flor De Lis (Upside Down),” arranged by Joy’s drummer Evan Sherman, celebrates Brazil just ahead of Joy’s tour dates in South America, July 27 through Aug. 2.
“We hope to show our appreciation for the impact that Brazilian music has on our artistry as well as the impact it continues to have on the world,” Joy said.
To listen to “Flor de Lis (Upside Down),” see the video below.
Samara Joy is a Bronx born singer who grew up inspired by classic R&B and sang in her church’s gospel choir. Her family history is deeply musical, but she didn’t dive into jazz until college at SUNY Purchase where she won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.
Joy co-produced her latest album, Portrait, with trumpeter, bandleader and multi-GRAMMY winner Brian Lynch. The album spotlights her lyricism and soulful chemistry she developed with her touring band.
This past spring, she was a featured guest on the new season of Sesame Street and was featured in ELLE Magazine’s Women in Music issue.
Joy’s global tour, including a sold-out Carnegie Hall debut in her hometown of NYC earlier this year, will continue through the summer and fall. For all the upcoming tour dates please see the lineup below. For more information about Samara Joy, click here.
Samara Joy 2025 Tour Dates
June 27 — Ottawa Jazz Fest — Ottawa, Canada
June 28 — Place Des Arts — Maison Symphonique at Montreal Jazz Festival — Montreal, Canada
July 3 — Wiener Konzerthaus — Vienna, Austria
July 5 — TSF Jazz Chantilly Festival — Chantilly, France
July 6 — Elb Philharmonie — Hamburg, Germany
July 7 — Montreux Jazz Festival — Montreux, Switzerland
July 9 — Tollhaus — Karlsruhe, Germany
July 11 — DR Koncerthuset — Copenhagen, Denmark
July 12 — North Sea Jazz Festival — Rotterdam, Netherlands
July 14 — Umbria Jazz Festival — Perugia, Italy
July 19 — Royal Albert Hall (with BBC Proms Orchestra) — London, UK
July 27 — Teatro Nescafe — Santiago, Chile
July 29 — Teatro Coliseo — Buenos Aires, Argentina
July 31 — Teatro Cultura Artistica — Sao Paolo, Brazil
Aug. 2 — Vivo Rio — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sept. 26 — Patricia Reser Center for the Arts — Beaverton, OR
Sept. 27 — Patricia Reser Center for the Arts — Beaverton, OR
Sept. 29 — Moore Theatre — Seattle, WA
Oct. 1 — Humphreys Concerts by the Bay — San Diego, CA
Nov. 11 — Miller Theater — Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 14 — The Palladium — Carmel, IN
Nov. 15 — Wisconsin Union Theater — Madison, WI
Nov. 18 — The Factory — Chesterfield, MO
Nov. 19 — Thalia Hall — Chicago, IL
Nov. 21 — The Fitzgerald Theater — St. Paul, MN
Nov. 22 — Folly Theater — Kansas City, MO
Jan. 24, 2026 — McBride’s World at Sea — Grand Cayman
May 16, 2026 — Geffen Hall — New York, NY
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