Samoa Wilson at TCCC - Sultry Blues and Jazz

Widely regarded as one of the best blues, jazz and folk singers in New York City, Samoa began singing jug band music with her uncle Jim Kweskin at 12 years of age. She has been captivating audiences ever since. 

Her choice of repertoire makes the difference: torchy and honeyed renditions of haunting little-known tunes from a woman’s perspective. You won't be able to resist Samoa's sweet rendition of "After You've Gone," sung in the past by Bessie  Smith, Ruth Etting and Ella Fitzgerald, this time with Samoa's fantastic vocal work at the heart of it.

The New York Times calls her singing “sweet, effortless, old-timey,” Nat Hentoff has called her style “the essence of unaffected musical storytelling,” and the Boston Herald proclaims “...a deep understanding of the early era of recorded pop…a gorgeous, fun sound.”

Tompkins Corners hosted Samoa and Jim four years ago. We are thrilled to have her back as a solo performer, several albums later, exploring gospel, ballads, blues, and swinging jazz standards.