Biography
One of eight siblings raised by a minister mother in Bakersfield, California, Gregory Porter found his voice both by singing in church and by studying her Nat King Cole records at home. Though Cole’s talent, wisdom, and poise made him something of a surrogate father to a musically gifted boy who lived in his own head, it was a football scholarship that eventually carried Porter from California’s Central Valley to San Diego State University. An injury derailed his athletic career, but he found a mentor in producer Kamau Kenyatta, who has worked with Porter ever since. After college, Porter moved to New York to work the kitchen in his brother’s Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn cafe by day, and jazz clubs by night.
Though Porter had an acclaimed role in the original 1999 Broadway cast of It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues — and staged his own Nat King Cole & Me musical in 2004 — it was inevitable that he’d became known for his songs. That was made abundantly clear when both of Porter’s indie albums — 2010’s Water and 2012’s Be Good — received GRAMMY nominations, paving the way for his world-beating 2013 Blue Note debut Liquid Spirit, which won the GRAMMY for Best Jazz Vocal Album. He hasn’t let down his legion of fans since, whether collaborating with Disclosure on “Holding On,” scoring another GRAMMY for Take Me to the Alley (2016), or telling his life story through Cole’s songbook. Like others, Porter is still surprised by his runaway success, but he has a theory: “I was soothed by my voice as a child and I think that’s the same thing others get from it. I’m trying to heal myself with these songs.”
And that’s the thing about love that ALL RISE keeps circling. Even when it’s painful, confusing, out of reach, or under attack, love is ultimately curative. Drop the needle on “Revival” and just try to pretend you aren’t lifted by the spirit no matter your personal faith or affiliation. Once again, Porter cuts through the noise of genres and the mess of life to reach us all where we live: the heart.
Releases
Christmas Wish - Gregory Porter
Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen
Still Rising - Gregory Porter
ALL RISE - Gregory Porter
One Night Only: Live At The Royal Albert Hall - Gregory Porter
Nat King Cole & Me - Gregory Porter
Take Me To The Alley - Gregory Porter
Liquid Spirit - Gregory Porter
Videos
Gregory Porter “I Will”
The PorterHouse with Gregory Porter, Presented by Citi | Episode 2: Seared Ahi Tuna
The PorterHouse with Gregory Porter, Presented by Citi | Episode 1: Borsch
The PorterHouse with Gregory Porter (Series Trailer)
Gregory Porter “First Look” with Don Was
Gregory Porter “Concorde” (Live)
GREGORY PORTER “CONCORDE” (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Gregory Porter “Revival” (Live)
GREGORY PORTER “IF LOVE IS OVERRATED” (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Gregory Porter “Revival” (Official Music Video)
SPOTLIGHT
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GREGORY PORTER “ALL RISE”
We'd tell you Gregory Porter is back, but you probably already knew. You probably felt the earth rumbling, announcing the man's bone-deep baritone, or you felt the air change as the warmth of his sound filled the atmosphere like a hug from above. That's because ALL RISE, his sixth studio album, marks a return to Porter's beloved original songwriting — heart-on-sleeve lyrics imbued with everyday... read more
GREGORY PORTER: NAT KING COLE & ME
For Gregory Porter, the influence of Nat King Cole on his life and music runs deep, a through-line that reaches back into some of his earliest childhood memories, and culminates in the release of the two-time GRAMMY-winning vocalist’s stunning fifth studio album Nat King Cole & Me, a heartfelt tribute to the legendary singer, pianist, and Capitol recording artist. “He was one of a kind.... read more
GREGORY PORTER: HOLDING ON & HOLDING STRONG
An artist whose music is at once timeless yet utterly of its time, Gregory Porter keeps holding on and holding strong as he solidifies his standing as his generation’s most soulful jazz singer-songwriter with Take Me to the Alley, the much-anticipated follow-up to his sensational 2013 Blue Note debut Liquid Spirit. Yet in his remarkable career, Porter has time and again demonstrated an innate... read more
GREGORY PORTER LETS THE LIQUID SPIRIT FREE
Liquid Spirit marks Gregory Porter’s Blue Note Records debut, which arrives on the heels of two critically acclaimed indie label albums that quickly propelled Porter to the upper echelon of contemporary male jazz singers and earned him two GRAMMY nominations. Don Was, President of Blue Note, encouraged Porter to stay true to his artistic vision. “I firmly consider myself a jazz singer but I... read more
News
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GREGORY PORTER RELEASES HIS FIRST-EVER HOLIDAY ALBUM “CHRISTMAS WISH”
With his customary class, elegance, and sophistication, GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter releases his first-ever Christmas album which is out now on Blue Note/Decca Records. Christmas Wish is a loving tribute to his favorite time of year – and to great songwriters, singers, and interpreters including... read more
GREGORY PORTER COVERS LEONARD COHEN’S “SUZANNE” FOR NEW TRIBUTE ALBUM “HERE IT IS”
Gregory Porter covers Leonard Cohen with a gorgeous new version of “Suzanne,” an all-time favorite from the legendary songwriter’s songbook that appeared on his debut album Songs of Leonard Cohen. “It was truly an honor to sing the words and melody of a master craftsman of song,” says Porter. “I’ve long... read more
GREGORY PORTER ANNOUNCES NOV. 5 RELEASE OF HIS COLLECTION “STILL RISING”
Gregory Porter’s new release Still Rising, due out November 5, is an exquisite collection of musical delights. The first disc includes four brand-new tracks, two new arrangements, three new covers, and nine of Porter’s most loved Blue Note tracks. The second disc features notable duets including songs with Moby,... read more
ANNOUNCING “THE PORTERHOUSE WITH GREGORY PORTER”; NEW COOKING SERIES PRESENTED BY CITI
Two-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and Blue Note recording artist Gregory Porter began his career in New York as a chef before he got discovered as a musician. Porter puts as much soul into his cooking as he does his music—both rich with family traditions, imbued by real-life experience, and inspired... read more
CONGRATS GRAMMY NOMINEES: GERALD CLAYTON, AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE, GREGORY PORTER, NORAH JONES & MAVIS STAPLES
Congratulations to all our Blue Note nominees for the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards! Best Jazz Instrumental Album on the tender spot of every calloused moment - Ambrose Akinmusire Happening: Live at the Village Vanguard - Gerald Clayton Best Improvised Jazz Solo “Celia” - Gerald Clayton (soloist)... read more
GREGORY PORTER “ALL RISE” NEW ALBUM OUT TOMORROW; WATCH HIM ON COLBERT TONIGHT
Two-time GRAMMY Award winning singer Gregory Porter will release his long-awaited sixth studio album ALL RISE tomorrow August 28 on Blue Note Records. The album will be available in deluxe and standard vinyl, CD, and digital versions. Porter will be performing the album’s gospel-infused lead single “Revival”... read more
GREGORY PORTER TO PERFORM FOR NASA’S MARS 2020 MISSION LAUNCH; NEW SINGLE & VIDEO “CONCORDE” OUT NOW
NASA has announced today that GRAMMY Award-winning singer and songwriter Gregory Porter will perform for the launch of its historic Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Mission. Porter will sing a special rendition of “America The Beautiful” from his home in California, as part of the live coverage of the launch scheduled... read more
GREGORY PORTER ADDRESSES RACIAL PREJUDICE ON SOULFUL NEW SINGLE “MISTER HOLLAND”
Gregory Porter has released “Mister Holland,” a soulful new song with a pointed underlying message about acceptance and racial prejudice from his forthcoming album ALL RISE, which will be released August 28 on Blue Note Records. Porter's version of protest can be worldly or down-home, as on “Mister... read more
GREGORY PORTER CELEBRATES THE IRREPRESSIBLE SPIRIT OF LOVE ON HIS NEW SINGLE “PHOENIX”
Two-time GRAMMY Award winning singer and songwriter Gregory Porter has released “Phoenix,” another soaring new single from his forthcoming album ALL RISE, which will be released August 28 on Blue Note Records. “’Phoenix’ is about the undying, irrepressible spirit of love,” says Porter. “Love can fall,... read more
GREGORY PORTER EXPRESSES HIS GRATITUDE ON UPLIFTING NEW SINGLE “THANK YOU”
Two-time GRAMMY Award winning singer and songwriter Gregory Porter expresses his gratitude on “Thank You,” his uplifting new single which was written for his fans, friends, and family, but also gets a new dedication upon its release. “My new song ‘Thank You’ has a very special meaning,” says Porter.... read more
Live Dates
Aug 10
Gregory Porter
Richmond Jazz Festival, Richmond United States
Aug 15
Gregory Porter
Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Series, Denver United States
Aug 17
Gregory Porter
Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler United States
Aug 18
Gregory Porter
Smooth Summer Jazz, Los Angeles United States
Aug 23
Gregory Porter
STL JAZZ FEST 2024, Chesterfield United States
Aug 30
Gregory Porter
Curaçao North Sea Jazz 2024, Willemstad Curaçao
Sep 01
Gregory Porter
John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival 2024, High Point United States
Sep 12
Gregory Porter
Tivoli Concert Hall Gardens, København Denmark
Sep 13
Gregory Porter
Vejle Musikteater, Vejle Denmark
Oct 21
Gregory Porter
Vicar Street, Dublin Ireland
Oct 24
Gregory Porter
Cork Opera House, Cork Ireland
Oct 25
Gregory Porter
Cork Opera House, Cork Ireland
Nov 04
Gregory Porter
O2 universum, Praha 9 Czechia
Nov 07
Gregory Porter
33. Aalener Jazzfest, Aalen Germany
Nov 08
Gregory Porter
Forum Leverkusen - KulturStadtLev, Leverkusen Germany
Nov 09
Gregory Porter
Isarphilharmonie, München Germany
Dec 01
Gregory Porter
Wiener Konzerthaus, Wien Austria
Dec 02
Gregory Porter
Wiener Konzerthaus, Wien Austria
Dec 08
Gregory Porter
Paramount Theatre-Oakland, Oakland United States
Dec 12
Gregory Porter
Detroit Opera House, Detroit United States
Dec 13
Gregory Porter
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore United States
Dec 14
Gregory Porter
The Chicago Theatre, Chicago United States
Dec 16
Gregory Porter
Winspear Opera House, Dallas United States
Dec 17
Gregory Porter
Orpheum Theatre, Memphis United States
Dec 18
Gregory Porter
Orpheum Theater, New Orleans United States
Dec 30
Gregory Porter
Paramount Theatre, Seattle United States
Mar 29
Gregory Porter
Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam Netherlands
