2025 Grammy Awards: Big Night for Jazz Studies

Samara Joy ’21 continues her Grammy streak, and Jaylen Petinaud ’20 played drums on the award-winning Hell’s Kitchen Original Broadway Cast Recording.


The 67th Grammy Awards held on Sunday, February 2, 2025 confirmed what we already know—Purchase alumni deserve major recognition!


Samara Joy '21 (Photo: AB+DM)

Grammy Streak

Samara Joy ’21 (Jazz Studies) earned her fourth and fifth Grammy awards, the third year in a row she brought home statues. Her awards this year:

Best Jazz Performance

“Twinkle Twinkle Little Me”
Samara Joy Featuring Sullivan Fortner

(For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative jazz recordings.)

Best Jazz Vocal Album

A Joyful Holiday
Samara Joy

(For albums containing greater than 75% playing time of new vocal jazz recordings.)

Read more about Samara and her previous awards, including Best New Artist in 2023.


Jaylen Petinaud '20

Grammy Newcomer

Jaylen Petinaud ’20 (Jazz Studies) is a musician, arranger, composer, educator and one of the most sought-after drummers working today.

Petinaud played on the Hell’s Kitchen Original Broadway Cast Recording, which won the award* for Best Musical Theater Album.

Read more about Petinaud, who’s currently touring with Herbie Hancock.


*Best Musical Theater Album: Award to the principal vocalist(s), and the album producer(s) of 50% or more playing time of the album. The lyricist(s) and composer(s) of 50% or more of a score of a new recording are eligible for an Award if any previous recording of said score has not been nominated in this category.