Acclaimed singer-songwriter Gregory Porter was raised in Bakersfield, California, and began singing in small jazz clubs in San Diego and later New York City, where his music career began to ascend with the release of his first two albums — Water (2010) and Be Good (2012). In 2013, he released his Blue Note debut Liquid Spirit which quickly grew into a global phenomenon, selling more than a million albums and earning Porter his first GRAMMY Award with NPR declaring him “America’s Next Great Jazz Singer.” His 2016 follow-up Take Me To The Alley won Porter his second GRAMMY for Best Vocal Jazz Album and firmly established him as his generation’s most soulful jazz singer-songwriter. In 2017, Porter released the heartfelt tribute album Nat King Cole & Me, and in 2020, returned to his original songwriting on the uplifting All Rise. Porter has hosted the podcast The Hang, as well as his own cooking show The PorterHouse.

Gregory Porter's performance has been underwritten by these generous donors: Judge Jon R. Gray (Ret.) and Dr. Valerie E. Chow, Robert and Doris Rogers, Dr. Rodney D. Smith and Stephenie K. Smith, Oscar and Ratana Tshibanda