With his distinctive and fascinating baritone voice and his mastery of the deepest traditions of soul, jazz and gospel, Gregory Porter has established himself as one of America’s most acclaimed singers. A 2-time Grammy award winner in Vocal Jazz, 2014 and 2017, his artistic talent and sensitivity place this charismatic performer in the tradition of the greatest singers like Nat “King” Cole, one of his heroes. His very first album, dedicated to Christmas, recorded with the legendary Blue Note label, pays tribute to his masters, including Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, as well as to standards. For Gregory Porter, Christmas is a time for sharing: “I’m always thinking about balance”, he explains, “that’s something I’ve been taught, and it keeps coming up in my music”. And for the Marseille Jazz des cinq continents, it’s the promise of an exceptional moment on the summer stage of the Palais Longchamp.
Photo credit © Erik Umphery