Gregory Porter performances are such a hybrid of jazz, gospel, blues, and soul, that he draws audiences from across divergent demographics; age, ethnicities, and genres. It is with great joy that we announce his return for the 2024 John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival (JCIJBF), Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024.
THE MUSIC OF GREGORY PORTER
The two-time Grammy Award winner has been nominated seven times. He won “Best Jazz Vocal Album” for his 2013 breakout debut on the Blue Note record label Liquid Spirit and his 2016 album Take Me to the Alley.
Born Gregory Porter, his career has spanned just two decades, if you include his humble Brooklyn, NY beginnings at Bread-Stuy(now defunct), his brother Lloyd’s restaurant, where he doubled as a chef. He was also a hot ticket item at other Brooklyn venues including Sistah’s Place, and Solomon’ Porch along with Harlem’s St. Nick’s Pub where he gigged weekly.
His first Grammy came after only three years in the recording game. In fact, coming out of the gate, Porter’s debut album, Water (2010), was nominated for “Best Jazz Vocal Album” at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. His second album, Be Good (2012) received Grammy nominations, and a single on that album, “Real Good Hands,” was also nominated for “Best Traditional R&B Performance” at that 55th Annual Grammy. Take Me to the Alley became the first jazz album to break into the UK top five in more than 10 years back in 2016. He joined the ranks of Jay – Z, Lauryn Hill, Usher, and a cluster of other luminaries in 2017 clinching Britain’s MOBO Award, the annual British presentation honoring achievements in music of black origin.
Self described as a Donny Hathaway, Nat King Cole, Bill Withers blend, as early as 2015, Porter was touted by Jazz Times magazine as “Jazz’s Next Great Male Vocalist”. In its review of Liquid Spirit, the New York Times described him as “a jazz singer of thrilling presence, a booming baritone with a gift for earthy refinement and soaring uplift.”
In 2017, Porter released the heartfelt tribute album Nat King Cole & Me, and in 2020 returned to his original songwriting on the uplifting ALL RISE, both of which received Grammy nominations. His 2021 release Still Rising collected new songs, covers, duets, and a selection of his much-loved favorite songs.
BOLD, MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Porter also has acting credits as a member of the original Broadway cast of It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues, and his own cooking show ‘The PorterHouse” with Gregory Porter,’ which aired in 2021.
Meteoric as Porter’s career has been, his life has not gone unscathed. His father was, in his own words, “absent,” which he says left a tremendous hole. He lost his full scholarship to San Diego State University after a shoulder injury in his junior year cut short his promising football career. He lost his mother to cancer when he was only 21 years old. He credits his mom for guiding him to his path toward singing. His answer to the hole left by his absentee father — the lyrics to some of his most successful songs. His answer to the thwarted football career — pursuing his singing talents. The answer to the loss of his mother — “Sing baby, sing.” Her dying words to him. And he does, with passion and devotion.
