Thursday, August 9, 2012

Jazz Vocalist Gregory Porter “Be Good”




WOW, just discovered Mr. Porter, DJ Michael Ealey told me we have to write about Gregory Porter he’s an underrated talent. Thanks Mike for the introduction to Gregory Porter. The way I can describe Gregory Porter is beautiful, excellent, brilliant and superb. Gregory Porter was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Bakersfield, California. He is a jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actor. Gregory Porter attended San Diego State University on a football scholarship until a shoulder injury sidelined him permanently. I guess everything happens for a reason. If not then we would not have this wonderful jazz vocalist. Gregory’s career path and professional development started when he met saxophonist, pianist, and composer Kamau Kenyatta. Who introduced Gregory to flautist Hubert Laws? Hubert Laws heard Gregory singing along to Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” song. Hubert added in a bonus track with Gregory on vocals singing “Smile”, on his “Remembers the Unforgettable Nat King Cole” album in 1998. While visiting the studio Eloise Laws, Hubert's sister helped get Porter cast in one of the leading roles in a new musical, “It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues.” This stage play was performed at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Then it moved to Off-Broadway and then on to the big time Broadway. That is how his acting career came about. Gregory currently lives in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Smoke Jazz is where he performs regularly. Gregory Porter has performed frequently at the Jazz at Lincoln Center, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland and the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. Gregory has recorded with Nicola Conte. He also appeared on Later... with Jools Holland on BBC2 (notably on Jools' 2011 New Year show, Hootenanny). In 2011, Gregory appeared on the TV show Carole King and Friends at Christmas. Gregory Porter is a jazz singer, who got his roots from Soul, Jazz, R&B and Gospel music. His mother was a minister, she told him to sing with an understanding and Gregory does just that. Gregory Porters first album “Water” is outstanding. The songs I really like from that album are, “Skylark”, “1960 What?”, “Illusion”, “Water”, and “Pretty”. Gregory’s second album came out on February 14, 2012. All I can say is, WOW! This whole album is fantastic. This man can sing the way he delivers a song is truly amazing. I like every songs off of the “Be Good” album it is hard to choose my favorite. If I were asked it probably would be, "Be Good (Lion's Song), "Real Good Hands", "When Did You Learn”, “Painted On Canvas” and "On My Way To Harlem". Gregory Porter wears this brown hat that covers his head, neck, ears and throat. All you see is his face and beard, which is not a bad looking face to look at. If you enjoy jazz singers like I do. Then check out Gregory Porter on Streetwise radio. Trust me you will enjoy his sound. It reminds me two of my favorite singers the late great Nat King Cole and Lou Rawls. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, live365, Athena365 and I-Tunes.

LM




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