Jazz Finland Live

Gregory Porter is without a doubt one of the hottest jazz vocalists around right now. In March 2015 he’ll join UMO on Helsinki Hall of Culture stage as the orchestra celebrates its 40th year.

Gregory Porter (b. 1971) is an American singer-songwriter whose stylish, emotional and evocative style of singing has made him a hit with critics and music fans alike. Porter looks to giants of jazz vocalism in the vein of Nat King Cole and Joe Williams for inspiration, combining jazz and soul in a way that perfectly suits his deep, warm and earthy voice.

”The next great jazz singer”, ”the best there is right now” and ”an unbelievable talent as both a singer and a composer” are the sort of epithets often attached to Porter, who sells out rooms all around the world, so it’s no wonder everyone wants a piece of him right now.

Porter won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2014 for Liquid Spirit, but he’s been on the way up since his debut album Water (2010) was released. Album number two Be Good (2012) was a step up. Liquid Spirit was his third release, first one on legendary label Blue Note, and it hit the jackpot.

Gregory Porter has collaborated with big jazz orchestras before, including New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Bohuslän Big Band from Sweden. Mikko Hassinen has created arrangements specifically for this concert.

Porter’s visit to Finland is produced in cooperation between UMO and Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE. In addition to the public concert at Helsinki Hall of Culture, Gregory Porter and UMO will make a broadcast for Yle Live in Studio television program in the legendary studio M1.

Open event