Gregory Porter
Gregory Porter discovered the music of Nat King Cole through his mother. At the age of five he wrote a song called “Once Upon A Time, I Had A Dreamboat” and recorded it onto a tape. When his mother returned home from work and heard it, she exclaimed in amazement Boy, you sound like Nat King Cole. From that moment on, Gregory had a desire to know more about this man and his music, and spent hours playing his mother’s old Cole records on his plastic Playskool record player. Since then, Gregory's passion and commitment to expressing himself through music has remained strong, and he has developed a distinct style that ranges from jazz, funk, R&B, blues and gospel—one that is soulful while still maintaining the elegance he learned from his earlier influences.
Currently, Gregory has developed a show that is a tribute to the music and memory of Nat Cole. Through song and narration, the listener is invited into the life of Nat’s music and how it moved the life of this young boy. He is also an original cast member of the four-time Tony nominated Broadway Musical, It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues and has performed in the national tour of the Broadway musical, The Civil War.
Additionally, Gregory has performed on national television shows such as Late Night with David Letterman, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and “The Today Show. More recently, in 2006, he performed at the Rose Hall with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
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Live Review
Album Review
- Zenzile: The Reimagination Of Miriam Makeba by Angelo Leonardi
One LP
Radio & Podcasts
- Gregory Porter, Kronos Quartet, Alberto Pinton, Pat Metheny & More New Releases
- Commanding Singers Gregory Porter and Kurt Elling
In Pictures
Radio & Podcasts
Live Review
Jazz Bastard
Album Review
- Live In Berlin by Enrico Bettinello
July 12, 2021
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center Presents In-Person, Live Jazz...
February 03, 2016
Jazz this week: Cyrille Aimée, Gregory Porter, Branford Marsalis, Jeff...
January 31, 2016
StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: The return of Gregory Porter
November 02, 2015
Blue Engine Records Celebrates the Holidays with BIG BAND HOLIDAYS: New...
November 13, 2013
Motema Music Releasing Gregory Porter's "Water" And "Be Good" On Vinyl...
November 09, 2013
Enter the "Gregory Porter - Vinyl LP" Giveaway at All About Jazz!
July 20, 2013
Preview: The Triangle North Carolina 2013-14 Jazz Season By Larry Reni...
June 03, 2013
Gregory Porter Serves Spoleto Splendidly
February 26, 2013
Newport Jazz Festival: Natalie Cole, Freddy Cole, Gregory Porter, Dee...
January 04, 2013
Jazz This Week: Gregory Porter, Wack-a-Doo, a Jazz/Funk Tribute to the...