The Legends of Jazz concert series is bringing Grammy-nominated singer Gregory Porter to Onondaga Community College this Friday. Porter is currently touring in support of his latest album “Liquid Spirit.”
Just a couple of decades ago, Porter was an unlikely candidate for an international jazz sensation. He had a short-lived career as a Division 1 football player that ended after a serious shoulder injury during his first semester. Porter refocused his energy and, inspired by his mother, began to take music more seriously.
His debut album, “Water”, was released in 2010 and immediately began to turn heads. It earned a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Porter’s 2012 sophomore release, “Be Good,” was met with critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance. “Liquid Spirit,” released in September, is just beginning to take on a life of its own.
Even more intriguing than his studio recordings, however, are his energetic live shows. The New York Times calls Porter “a jazz singer of thrilling presence, a booming baritone with a gift for earthy refinement and soaring uplift.”
Tickets to Porter’s Legends of Jazz performance are $25. The show begins at 7PM. More information can be found here.