Porter Extends Cole Tribute with Live Album, Film

By DownBeat I Nov. 25, 2018

Singer Gregory Porter’s *One Night Only–Live* *At The Royal Albert Hall* will be released as a digital album and digital concert film on Nov. 30, and it will be released as a CD/DVD package on Dec. 21.
(Photo: Courtesy of Artist)

In 2017, singer Gregory Porter explored the work of one his primarily influences on the acclaimed album Nat “King” Cole & Me (Blue Note). Now Porter is extending his tribute to Cole with One Night Only–Live At The Royal Albert Hall. It will be released as a digital album and digital concert film on Nov. 30, and then, just in time for Christmas shoppers, it will be released as a CD/DVD package on Dec. 21.

Porter performed for three nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by pianist Chip Crawford, bassist Jahmal Nichols, drummer Emanuel Harrold, and saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, as well as the 70-piece London Studio Orchestra led by conductor and arranger Vince Mendoza.

The program focuses on the material from Nat “King” Cole & Me, but there are also tunes from Porter’s previous Blue Note albums: Liquid Spirit (“Hey Laura”) and Take Me To The Alley (“Don’t Lose Your Steam”). The album includes Porter’s rendition of one of the most famous tunes associated with Cole: “The Christmas Song.”

To watch a video of Porter singing “Hey Laura” on April 2 at the Royal Albert Hall, click here.

Other racks on One Night Only include “Mona Lisa,” “But Beautiful,” “Miss Otis Regrets,” “Sweet Lorraine,” “For All We Know” and “Smile.” The song “I Wonder Who My Daddy Is” will be exclusive to the 19-track digital album.

At the time of the release of Nat “King” Cole & Me, Porter issued a statement about the legendary singer: “He was one of a kind. He left such great music—such beautiful things to listen to that you can’t help but be influenced by that extraordinary timbre, style and ultimate cool. It’s only natural that I go to the root of my inspiration and where I come from. And that root would be my mother and gospel music and Nat ‘King’ Cole.”

Porter’s concert schedule includes shows in which he’ll be backed by an orchestra: He’ll perform at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington, West Virginia (Dec. 4); Palais Montcalm in Quebec City, Quebec (Dec. 7); and Memorial Auditorium in Stanford, California (Dec. 15). DB