by Lupe Conde
Photo by Getty Images
Following Samara Joy's spectacular performance at the PAC and the moving tribute she made to Purchase College, specifically the professors that had guided her throughout her time here, I couldn't help but wonder what they had to say about her.
One of the professors she mentioned who moderated a Q&A before the show, Pete Malinverni, spoke with me about his time mentoring Joy and what it’s like teaching Jazz Studies.
When teaching Samara Joy, how did she first stand out in your class?
Actually, she first stood out at her audition. At the time, she was pretty unfamiliar with Jazz, but I've been a church musician my whole life and I got the feeling she was, too. So, I asked her to choose a hymn, and she picked "Blessed Assurance". We did that one together, and I knew right away that she was special. Then, in classes, she was clearly hungry for knowledge, and she fell in with a group of fellow students, including Kendric McCallister and Donavan Austin, and they were constantly studying, listening and learning. Now, those two are part of her traveling band and they write lots of her arrangements.
What was it about their approach to jazz that made you think they had exceptional potential?
Mostly, it was her curiosity and drive to learn. She is not one for "shortcuts".
Looking back, how did you see Joy’s musical growth during their time under your instruction?
Along with the friends I mentioned, and others, Samara just kept researching the artform while developing her own, singular voice.
Beyond Joy’s natural musical talents, what were some key traits or qualities that she displayed which you think contributed to her success?
Her sense of humor and humility. She takes the music much more seriously than she does herself.
Can you tell me more about the educational approach the jazz professors take at Purchase?
We're all working musicians, with careers in NYC and worldwide, so just try to mentor the students, using our own experiences, good and bad, from which we've learned.
Even though it hasn’t been that long since Joy graduated, how has the landscape of jazz and jazz education changed, if it has at all?
It seems more and more colleges are seeing Jazz education as a cash cow and just taking the students' money, without worrying too much about teaching the importance of community among musicians. I'm proud of the fact that we at Purchase Jazz Studies have a family feeling that the students take with them into their careers.
What advice would YOU give to aspiring musicians or artists from Purchase College?
Work hard! There's really no substitute for it - talent alone won't do it.
Samara Joy made a wonderful tribute to our school. What do you want the students at Purchase to take away from her performance and overall career?
That they, too, can do it. She is spectacularly talented, certainly, but it's her work ethic that puts her on stages around the world.
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