The Grammy-nominated Jazz singer, Gregory Porter has a voice that speaks back to the Jazz, Soul, Blues and Gospel singers of the past. He cites Nat King Cole, Joe Williams and Donny Hathaway as three singers who have inspired him in his career. For his CD, “Water,” he worked with legendary alto sax player, James Spaulding (he has worked with Max Roach, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Sun Ra and others) and saxophonist, pianist and composer Kamau Kenyatta and saxophonist Daniel Jackson (he has worked with Ray Charles, Buddy Rich, Art Farmer and others) helped to nurture his style. Besides starring in a stage production of “It Ain’t Nothing But the Blues,” he also starred in a semi-autobiographical production called “Nat King Cole and Me,” which tells of how the singer was his comfort for not having his father around. Today, Porter is often performing at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Smoke Jazz in New York City.
“1960 What?”
“Black Nile”
“Wisdom” (Tribute to New Orleans)
Sherese Francis: Futuristically Ancient 