Grammy award winning artists Christian McBride and Samara Joy have combined musical forces to release a reimagined rendition of “Old Folks”.
Originally composed in 1938 by American composer, pianist and vocalist Willard Robison, “Old Folks” has become a jazz standard. McBride and Joy’s rendition of “Old Folks” encapsulates the very best of the jazz genre. The instrumentals are elegantly and delicately layered, McBride’s signature deep bass enriching the dreamlike composition. Joy’s vocals are emotional yet effortless, speaking to the true talent that garnered her meteoric rise to fame, capturing the classic sound of jazz.
“‘Old Folks’ could be multiple people that you think about in your life, whether it’s family or not,” Joy said on “”‘Old Folks’ could be multiple people that you think about in your life, whether it’s family or not,” Joy said. “I heard Carmen Rae’s, Ernestine Anderson, and Charlie Parker’s versions. It was a song that people don’t normally record or hear the lyrics to, so I thought about Roy Haynes, Quincy Jones and all of these different people who have so much wisdom bottled up that they share.”
McBride and Joy’s rendition of the beloved jazz standard is the second single off McBride’s upcoming big band album, Without Further Ado, Vol 1. Releasing on August 29, the eight track album features an all star cast of artists with renditions of classics like “Murder By Number”, the album’s title track, which features Sting and Andy Summers.
Ahead of the album release, the Christian McBride Big Band will perform new music from the album at the Newport Jazz Festival on August 3. In 2026, McBride will launch the first McBride’s World at Sea Cruise, which will feature performances from his critically acclaimed bands, a variety of special guests onboard and Joy herself.
Christian McBride and Samara Joy’s reimagined rendition of “Old Folks” is available for listening here.
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