Gregory Porter (born November 4, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. In 2014 he won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album for 'Liquid Spirit' and in 2017 for 'Take Me to the Alley'.
Gregory Porter was born in Sacramento and raised in Bakersfield, California; his mother was a minister.
He is a 1989 Highland High School graduate where he received a full-time athletic scholarship (tuition, books, health insurance, and living expenses) as a football player at San Diego State University, but suffered a shoulder injury during his training and interrupted his football career.
At the age of 21, Porter lost his mother to cancer. It was she who asked him to constantly be there and sing: “Sing, baby, sing!”
Childhood and early career
Porter moved to Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn in 2004 with his brother Lloyd. He worked as a chef at Lloyd's Bread-Stuy (now defunct), where he also acted as a musician.
Porter performed at other venues in the neighborhood, including Sista's Place and Solomon's Porch, but eventually moved to Harlem's St. Nick's Pub, where he performed weekly.
Porter has seven siblings. His mother, Ruth, was a major influence in his life, encouraging him to sing in church at an early age. His father, Rufus, was largely absent from his life.
Porter says: “Everyone had problems with their father, even if he was in the house. The biggest problems were due to the fact that there was no emotional connection with him. And my father was simply absent from my life. I've only spoken to him for a few days in my life. And that's not what I would like. He just didn't seem to be fully interested in being around."
Albums and awards
Porter released two albums on the Motéma label with Membran Entertainment Group, Water's 2010 and Be Good 2012, before signing with Blue Note Records (under Universal Music Group) on May 17, 2013.
His third album Liquid Spirit was released on September 2, 2013 in Europe and September 17, 2013 in the US.
The album was produced by Brian Bacchus and also won the 2014 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
Since his debut in 2010 on the Motéma label, Porter has been well received in the music press.
His debut album Water was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.
He was also a member of the original Broadway show It's Not A Trifle, But A Blues.
His second album, Be Good, which contains many of Porter's compositions, received critical acclaim for both his signature singing and his compositions such as "Be Good (Lion's Song)", "Real Good Hands" and "On My Way to Harlem.
The title track was also nominated for "The Best Traditional Performance Of R&B" at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.
When the Liquid Spirit album was released, the New York Times described Porter as "a jazz singer with a breathtaking presence, a booming baritone with a gift for perfection and a meteoric rise."
For public appearances, Porter always wears a hat that resembles an English hunting cap with fabric that covers the ears and chin like a Balaclava.
In an interview with Jazzweekly.com by George W. Harris on November 3, 2012, when asked "What's with the weird and unusual hat?" Porter replied, “I had a little surgery on my skin, so that was my face for a while. But oddly enough, people remember me by it and recognize it by this hat. This is something that will stay with me for a long time.”
Liquid Spirit enjoyed a commercial success rarely achieved by jazz albums. This album reached the top 10 on the UK jazz album charts at one time and was certified gold by the BPI, selling over 100 units in the UK.
In August 2014, Porter released "The In In Crowd" as a single.
On May 9, 2015, Porter took part in VE Day 70: A Party to Remember, a televised commemorative concert from the Horse Guards Parade in London, singing "How Time Goes".
His fourth album Take Me to the Alley was released on May 6, 2016. In the UK's The Guardian, it was Alexis Petridis' album of the week.
On June 26, 2016, Porter performed on the Pyramid Stage at the 2016 Glastonbury Festival.
Neil McCormick said: “This middle-aged jazzer may be the weirdest pop star on the planet, but he's refreshing this style, because the most important organ for musical appreciation should always be the ears. And Porter has one of the simplest voices in popular music, a creamy baritone that flows thick and smooth over a rich melody. It's a voice that makes you want to lick your lips and listen and listen to his music.”
Recent albums and performances
In September 2016, Porter performed on Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park from Hyde Park, London.
He also agreed to appear on the annual BBC Children in Need tribute to Sir Terry Vaughan, who had hosted him in previous years and was a fan of Porter.
In January 2017, Porter performed "Hold On" on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show.
A little later, in October 2017, he also landed on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show with Jeff Goldblum and performed "Mona Lisa" on piano.
Personal life
He is married to Victoria and they have a son, Demyan. Their home is in Bakersfield, California.
They have been married for a long time, there is no exact information, because the musician prefers not to disclose and shares minimal information.
But if you follow the couple, you can see that they are happy and are raising a wonderful son, maybe it's time to start a second one.
Interesting Gregory Porter Facts:
- He ended a promising career as an American football player due to an injury.
- His first job was with Jazz FM. He was engaged in sending e-mails, faxes and other pieces of paper.
- He worked with Eloise Lowes, sister of the legendary jazz-funk artist Ronnie, on musical stage shows before recording his first album.
- In 1999, he performed a deep album by Theflon Dons called Tomorrow People.
- Up until becoming a full-time performer, Gregory was a professional chef in Brooklyn. Soup is his signature dish, and the ladies in the neighborhood are still coming up to him asking when he plans to make some more of his famous Indian chili soup!
