The highly acclaimed, multi-Grammy award winning, platinum selling vocalist Gregory Porter has steadily built an enviable audience, jaw-dropped fan by jaw-dropped fan across his native US and the UK and Europe over the past 15 years. Now, Gregory and his five-piece band will bring their ever-smooth stylings back to Australia later this year.
Over the past 15 years the Grammy winning, platinum selling vocalist Gregory Porter has steadily built an enviable audience across his native US and the UK and Europe. Now, Gregory and his five-piece band will bring their ever-smooth stylings back to Australia later this year.
Last here in 2017, the Bakersfield, California resident will embark on his first extensive, five city Australian tour in October. Gregory is instantly recognisable around the globe by his ever-present hat with snug cheek and chin flaps that frame his expressive features. In a similar way jazz frames his music, while he effortlessly includes other ingredients including gospel, soul, blues and even a little pop. He mixes them so expertly you can’t see the seams.
One of main characteristics of jazz in the previous century was its determination to be embracing its roots while always searching for the new and innovative. This has led Gregory to collaborations with Robert Glasper, Zbonics and Lizz Wright among many others. His material has been remixed by the likes of Claptone and Fred Falke. Over five albums of original material, (including Liquid Spirit and Take Me To The Alley which both won Grammy awards for Best Vocal Jazz Album), Gregory has built a catalogue that focuses on his faith (his mother is an ordained minister and his first public performances were in her church) and the importance of love in our lives.
His recordings are remarkable but it is in the live arena where Gregory really shines. On stage he projects a rare blend of authority and humility. He mixes quality originals like the irresistible Hey Laura or the musical mission statement Revival Song with material from all points of the past three quarters of a century, including Sting, Disney, Motown and Wane Shorter. There is little that Porter can’t place his distinctive stamp on.
This month Gregory will play four sold out nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall, a hallowed room he has been filling on return visits since 2016. Last Christmas, Gregory offered a triumphant reading of Do You Hear What I Hear at The Princess of Wales Together At Christmas at Westminster Abbey. In Australia he will light up some of our premier venues including Hamer Hall, the Sydney Opera House and Perth’s art deco-styled Regal Theatre.
On his Australian tour Gregory will be accompanied by players whose Porter roots are so deep they go back to the beginnings of his recording career. They include Chip Crawford (piano and arrangements), Emmanuel Harol (drums) Tivan Pennicott (tenor sax), and Jahmal Nichols (bass).
TOUR DATES:
MONDAY 20 OCTOBER
Sydney Opera House | Sydney, NSW (All Ages)
Presented by Act 3 Presents
sydneyoperahouse.com
WEDNESDAY 22 OCTOBER
Queensland Performing Arts Centre | Brisbane, QLD (All Ages)
qpac.com.au
FRIDAY 24 OCTOBER
Hamer Hall | Melbourne, VIC (All Ages)
Presented by Melbourne International Jazz Festival
melbournejazz.com
SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER
Regal Theatre | Perth, WA (All Ages)
Presented by Perth International Jazz Festival and Act 3 Presents
perthjazzfest.com
Tickets on sale on from Friday 4 April (11am AEST) – except Perth 8 April (5pm AWT)
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