Gregory Porter, born on November 4, 1971, in Los Angeles and raised in Bakersfield, California, is an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, and actor. His musical journey began as a church vocalist before transitioning to a broader musical career encompassing jazz, soul, and gospel.
Porter's early life was significantly influenced by his minister mother, who introduced him to the music of Nat King Cole. Initially pursuing a football career at San Diego State University, a shoulder injury redirected his path towards music. Following his mother's dying wish for him to sing, Porter moved to Brooklyn in 2004, where he started performing at local venues.
Porter's musical style is a unique blend of jazz, soul, and gospel, wrapped in his warm baritone voice. His influences include greats such as Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers, and Ray Charles. Porter's voice has been described as having a resounding depth of emotion and range of tone that transcends genre.
Porter's discography includes a series of successful albums:
His breakthrough came with "Liquid Spirit" (2013), his Blue Note debut, which sold over a million albums and earned him his first Grammy Award. Porter has won two Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album: in 2014 for "Liquid Spirit" and in 2017 for "Take Me to the Alley."
Porter's live performances have been widely praised. He has appeared at renowned events like the Glastonbury Festival and on prestigious platforms such as The Graham Norton Show and BBC Children in Need.
Beyond music, Porter has hosted the podcast "The Hang" and his own cooking show "The PorterHouse". He has also acted, appearing in the original Broadway cast of "It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues" in 1999.
Porter's music often features social commentary, soaring gospel highs, jazz improvisation, and heartfelt emotion. His 2020 album "All Rise" represents a significant step forward in his career, being his most gospel-oriented and most "produced" project yet.
Throughout his career, Porter has been praised for his ability to blend different musical styles and deliver powerful, emotionally resonant performances. His distinctive voice and songwriting have established him as a leading figure in contemporary jazz and soul music.
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