Gregory Porter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gregory Porter
Porter performing at the 2018 Kongsberg Jazzfestival
Background information
Born	(1971-11-04) November 4, 1971 (age 53) Sacramento, California, U.S.
Genres	Jazz blues soul gospel
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Motéma Blue Note Membran
Signature

Gregory Porter (born November 4, 1971) is a famous American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is known for his deep, smooth voice and his unique style. Gregory Porter has won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album two times. He won in 2014 for his album Liquid Spirit and again in 2017 for Take Me to the Alley.

Early Life and Education

Gregory Porter performing in Oslo, Norway, in 2016.

Gregory Porter was born in Sacramento, California. He grew up in Bakersfield, where his mother, Ruth, was a minister. Gregory has seven brothers and sisters. His mother was very important in his life. She encouraged him to sing in church when he was young.

His father, Rufus, was not around much when Gregory was growing up. Gregory has said that his father was "straight-up absent." He only spent a few days with him in his whole life.

After finishing Highland High School in 1989, Gregory received a special scholarship. This scholarship was for football at San Diego State University (SDSU Aztecs). He played as a lineman. However, a shoulder injury during his third year stopped his football career.

Gregory's mother passed away from cancer when he was 21 years old. Before she died, she told him to "Sing, baby, sing!" This encouraged him to follow his passion for music.

Music Career Highlights

In 2004, Gregory Porter moved to Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn with his brother Lloyd. He worked as a chef at Lloyd's restaurant, Bread-Stuy. Gregory also performed there. He sang at other local places like Sista's Place. Later, he started a weekly show at Harlem club St. Nick's Pub. This is where his touring band came together.

Gregory released two albums with the Motéma label: Water in 2010 and Be Good in 2012. After these, he signed with Blue Note Records in 2013. His third album, Liquid Spirit, came out in September 2013. This album was produced by Brian Bacchus. It won the 2014 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Liquid Spirit became very popular, which is rare for jazz albums. It reached the top 10 on the UK album charts. It also sold over 100,000 copies in the UK.

In August 2014, Gregory Porter released the song "The 'In' Crowd". In May 2015, he sang "As Time Goes By" at a special concert. This concert was called VE Day 70: A Party to Remember in London.

His fourth album, Take Me to the Alley, was released on May 6, 2016. This album was named album of the week by The Guardian newspaper in the UK.

On June 26, 2016, Gregory Porter performed at the Glastonbury Festival 2016. This is a very big music festival. Music critic Neil McCormick praised his voice. He called it "one of the most easy-on-the-ear voices in popular music." He described it as a "creamy baritone that flows thick and smooth."

In September 2016, Gregory performed at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park in London. In November, he sang for the annual BBC Children in Need show. This show raises money for children in need.

In January 2017, Gregory Porter sang "Holding On" on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show. He also performed at the Later... with Jools Holland: Later 25 concert in September 2017. In October 2017, he sang "Mona Lisa" with Jeff Goldblum playing the piano on The Graham Norton Show.

On August 28, 2020, Gregory released his sixth studio album, All Rise. On November 5, 2021, he released a collection of his best songs called Still Rising - The Collection. He also performed the song "Revival" on The Graham Norton Show that same day.

On New Year's Eve 2021, Gregory Porter performed on Jools' Annual Hootenanny.

In May 2021, Gregory started his own cooking show. It was called 'The PorterHouse with Gregory Porter'. It had six episodes.

On June 2, 2022, Gregory sang a special song for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacons. The song was called "A Life Lived with Grace." He was joined by the London Community Gospel Choir. On September 14, 2023, he released a song called "Somebody." This was a collaboration with TSHA and Ellie Goulding.

In December 2023, Gregory Porter performed at the Royal Albert Hall for their "Christmas at The Royal Albert Hall" show. In September 2024, he announced a tour of the UK for April 2025.

Musical Style

Gregory Porter has talked about his musical influences. He said he hears parts of himself in artists like Donny Hathaway, Nat King Cole, and Bill Withers. He feels a connection to them through Gospel music. He grew up with gospel music. He also mentioned Ray Charles as someone whose voice influenced him.

Personal Life

Gregory Porter is married to Victoria. They have two sons. Their family home is in Bakersfield, California. His brother, Lloyd Cornelius Porter, passed away in May 2020.

When Gregory Porter appears in public, he always wears a special hat. It looks like a newsboy cap but has fabric that covers his ears and chin. He explained in an interview that he had some surgery on his skin. This hat has become his signature look. He also mentioned that he got some facial scars when he was young. He found the hat one day and liked it, deciding to wear it even before his music career took off. The cap is a Kangol Summer Spitfire.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Water (2010)
• Be Good (2012)
• Liquid Spirit (2013)
• Take Me to the Alley (2016)
• Nat King Cole & Me (2017)
• All Rise (2020)
• Christmas Wish (2023)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

See also

In Spanish: Gregory Porter para niños