NJPAC - January/February/March 2020

on “Everything Must Change,” from
Jones’ 1974 album Body Heat. Ledisi is
also joining Porter for a song on their
upcoming album.
“She’s just one of the best voices in the
world, so it’s awesome to work with
her,” says Porter.
He will also use the show to preview
some material from his next album,
All Rise, due out in April.
“There are two things that the show
will focus on: My love songs, and
songs from the new record,” he says.
Porter’s last album, 2017’s Nat King
Cole & Me, paid tribute to one of his
biggest influences. All Rise is very
different: “Fifteen original songs,” he
says, “recorded by my band and the
London Symphony Orchestra, in the
Ledisi
“ It’s just a beautiful
voice that can do
any type of music...
and likewise, I’m
the same.”
–Gregory Porter on Ledisi
vein of my style of writing about the
ups and downs of love and life,
and subtle protest of some ills and
wrongs going on around the world,
or in the country.”
Born in Sacramento and raised in
Bakersfield, CA, Porter moved to
Brooklyn about 15 years ago and
built a following in local clubs. He
released his first album in 2010, at
the somewhat advanced age (for
a musician) of 38, and is particularly
popular in England, where his last
three studio albums have reached
the Top 10 of the pop charts.
He has a trademark look, wearing
hats with fabric that reaches down to
cover his ears and chin. He has said
he got into the habit of wearing them
as a child, after suffering some
facial scarring.
Though Porter is usually classified as a
jazz artist—and has won GRAMMYs in
the Jazz Vocal Album category
for Liquid Spirit (2013) and
Take Me to the Alley (2016)—
and Ledisi is usually labeled
R&B, Porter says they have
a lot in common. “I think she
employs, in her voice, all of the
things that are in jazz and soul
and gospel. It’s just a beautiful
voice that can do any type of music.
She could do classical, if she wanted
to. She can be a gospel singer. And
likewise, I’m the same.”
That kind of open-mindedness
comes through in Porter’s
songwriting, as well.
“I always approach this thing
organically,” he says. “In writing
the song, if it feels like it’s going
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