Joy has shared that “Three Little Words” has long held personal meaning. She first heard the standard on Sarah Vaughan’s After Hours at the London House. That recording became one of her earliest introductions to the tradition she now inhabits. “Although it’s been performed by many musicians, I’m excited to add my interpretation to the list of incredible recordings of this song,” Joy said in a statement.

The single arrives during a remarkable year for the Bronx-born vocalist. Portrait, her most recent studio album, has been praised as her most expansive work yet, drawing recognition not just for her extraordinary voice but for her skills as a lyricist and bandleader. NPR called it “the most jazz literate album of her career so far,” while WRTI described it as “an artistic breakthrough.” Joy’s performances have matched the acclaim — she made her BBC Proms debut this summer, earning a five-star review from The Times, and she sold out Carnegie Hall for her first headlining concert in New York City. Her Austin City Limits debut will air nationally on PBS on November 1.

This year alone, Joy has added two more Grammy Awards to her growing collection, including Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance, bringing her total to five. She also received her first NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album with Portrait. Alongside these milestones, she appeared in ELLE’s Women in Music issue, was a featured guest on Sesame Street, and contributed to Christian McBride’s Without Further Ado, Vol. 1.

Her achievements have only fueled a touring schedule that spans the globe. Joy will continue her Portrait world tour through the end of the year and into 2026, with stops across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, including dates in Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago, Boston, Sydney, and Melbourne. Full tour dates are available at samarajoy.com.

Samara Joy’s rise has been described by Rolling Stone as the arrival of a “next-generation leader in jazz.” With “Three Little Words,” she proves again that her connection to the tradition runs deep, yet her interpretations always sound entirely her own.