Photo of Andrea Ripamonti
Born in Los Angeles, raised in Bakersfield, Gregory Porter He is the American soul singer who has conquered the world with his albums. To demonstrate it, among the many things, there are the two Grammy Awards won first with the Liquid Spirit album in 2014 – which consecrated him as one of the most important jazz artists of his generation with over a million records sold – and then with Take Me to the Alley in 2016. They then received nominations at the Grammy Awards also his albums Water, Nat King Cole & Me and All Rise, as well as I Rise. Singles Real Good Hands and Hey Laura.
Debut
His debut takes place in 2010 with the Water album that earned him the first Grammy nomination as “Best Jazz Vocal”, an exceptional fact for a debut disc. This first single, already contained that sense of timeless maturity characteristic of the blues, gospel and soul giants that have influenced Porter's career. In 2012 then, with the second album Be Good, for the single Real Good Hands he won the second nomination to the Grammy, this time as “Best Traditional R&B Performance”. With a voice that knows how to be caresses or decisive, warm or encouraging, Gregory Porter is called “a fantastic young singer” by Wynton Marsalis, with whom he often performs in New York.
Prizes and awards
Many prizes and awards received by Gregory Porter: “Best of 2012” in America and England, “Jazz Album of the Year” on iTunes, up to the first in the Amazon ranking, “Top 10 Albums of 2012” on Soul Train, “Best Uk Performance” for Jazz FM Awards.
His references
Among the reference names of Porter there are Nat King Cole, Joe Williams and Donny Hathaway. Porter's vocal style was certainly shaped by the example of these singers, but his personal vision of the world loads all the songs of such an emotional intensity to make every execution extremely powerful.
The heart -felt tribute album Nat King Cole & Me most inspired and influenced him in 2017 and in 2020 he returned to write original songs with the edifying All Rise, both who were appointed to the Grammy Awards. In 2021 Still Rising comes out, which collects new songs, covers, duets and a selection of his most loved successes. In 2023, Porter published his first Christmas album Christmas Wish. Porter also conducted the Podcast The Hang, a series of conversations with his famous friends, and his culinary show The Porterhouse, in which the singer shared recipes inspired by his local community, tour experiences all over the world and family culinary traditions.
Click here to see Gregory Porter's photos in concert in Milan (or browse the gallery below).
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
