A cozy family feeling and a spirit of community service: those are two Christmas hallmarks shared by the jazz vocalists Gregory Porter and Samara Joy.
On the next episode of The Late Set Radio Hour, hosted by Nicole Sweeney and airing this Sunday at 8 p.m. EST, they talk about family traditions and the holiday songbook, which they've both embraced — Porter with his 2023 album Christmas Wish, and Joy with A Joyful Holiday, which won the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. You'll hear music from both of those releases, as well as Porter's work with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Joy with the McLendon Family, and a stocking full of holiday classics from the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Donny Hathaway and Lou Rawls.
The interviews in the show come from an episode of The Late Set podcast called Comfort and Joy, from 2023. At the time, Christmas Wish and A Joyful Holiday had both just dropped. Former Evening Jazz host and Late Set co-host Greg Bryant and I connected virtually with the two artists, and were struck by their warm camaraderie, rooted in a shared foundation and a common commitment to singing their truth.
Tune in to The Late Set Radio Hour, this Sunday at 8 p.m. EST to hear our holiday special, featuring Gregory, Samara and more.
Set List:
- "Christmas Wish" (Gregory Porter), from the album Christmas Wish by Gregory Porter.
- "The Christmas Song (Live)" (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells), from the album A Joyful Holiday by Samara Joy.
- "Someday at Christmas" (Stevie Wonder, Ron Miller), from the album Christmas Wish by Gregory Porter.
- "Warm in December" (Bob Russell, Peter De Rose), from the album A Joyful Holiday by Samara Joy.
- "What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?" (Frank Loesser), from the album Christmas Wish by Gregory Porter.
- "Christmas Island" (Lyle “Spud” Murphy, Ray Evans), from the album Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald.
- "Christmas Will Really Be Christmas" (Curtis Mayfield) from the album Merry Christmas Ho! Ho! Ho! by Lou Rawls.
- "This Christmas" (Donny Hathaway, Nadine McKinnor), performed by Donny Hathaway.
- "Christmas Time is Here" (Vince Guaraldi), from the album Christmas Wish by Gregory Porter.
- "Merry Christmas Baby" (Baxter, Johnny Moore), from the album Big Band Holidays by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
- "O Holy Night" (Adolphe Adam, Placide Cappeau), from the album A Joyful Holiday by Samara Joy.
- "Little Drummer Boy" (Katherine Kennicott Davis), from the album Merry Ole Soul by Duke Pearson.
Production Credits:
Alex Ariff, Senior Producer
Robert Webb, Mixing Engineer / Assistant Production Manager
Tyler McClure, Director of Operations and Production
Greg Bryant and Nate Chinen, Interviewers
