Gregory Porter releases his first ever Christmas album 'Christmas Wish'
06 November 2023
Newsdesk
At last! With his customary class, elegance and sophistication, Gregory Porter releases his first ever Christmas album, via Blue Note/Decca Records. Entitled ‘Christmas Wish’ it is a loving tribute to his favourite time of year – and to great songwriters, singers and interpreters including Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Dinah Washington and Nat King Cole. In addition to this list of world class names, Mr Porter himself has added to the Christmas catalogue with three original tracks, soon to be favourites for the festive season.
Backed by his long-time band and produced by repeat collaborator Troy Miller, with orchestral contributions recorded at Abbey Road, the album features inspired interpretations of carols, jazz-age standards and soulful sixties deep-cuts including ‘Silent Night’, ‘Little Drummer Boy’, Marvin Gaye’s ‘Purple Snowflakes’, Stevie Wonder’s ‘Someday At Christmas’ and Frank Loesser’s ‘What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?, which features a powerhouse guest vocal from double Grammy-winning sensation Samara Joy.
Gregory will be spreading his love and talents even further, warming up the winter months as he tours the globe with his band. He returns to London’s Royal Albert Hall (after three sold-out shows there earlier this year) for a special, one-off and highly anticipated performance on 13th December, 2023.
TRACKLIST 01. Silent Night 02. Christmas Waltz 03. Everything’s Not Lost (Written by Gregory Porter) 04. Someday at Christmas 05. Purple Snowflakes 06. Little Drummer Boy 07. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? – feat. Samara Joy 08. Christmas Wish (Written By Gregory Porter) 09. Cradle in Bethlehem 10. Do You Hear What I Hear? 11. Christmas Time is Here 12. Heart for Christmas (Written by Gregory Porter)
Christmas Wish was recorded between Sear Sound Studio in New York City and Crossways Studio in London and features Gregory Porter’s friend and long-term pianist Chip Crawford on Piano, Emmanuel Harrold on Drums and Percussion, Gregoire Maret on Harmonica, Jahmal Nichols on Bass, Ondre Pivec on Hammond organ and Tivon Pennicott on Flute and Soprano/Tenor Saxophone and Backing vocals from Stephanie Fisher-Alvarenga, Chris Ashley Anthony and Sheherazade Holman. With orchestral contributions from the Kingdom Orchestra, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London.
GREGORY PORTER TOUR 2023/24: 05 Oct 23 Arena Theatre Houston 06 Oct 23 Bruton Theater at The Black Academy Of Arts And Letters Dallas 08 Oct 23 Los Cabos Jazz Festival Cabo San Lucas 05 Dec 23 Mitsubishi Electric Halle Dusseldorf 06 Dec 23 Messe Und Congress Centrum Halle Münsterland Münster 08 Dec 23 Musik- Und Kongresshalle Lübeck Lübeck 09 Dec 23 Elbphilharmonie - Grosser Saa Hamburg 12 Dec 23 Kauno Žalgirio Aren Kaunas 13 Dec 23 Royal Albert Hall London 15 Dec 23 Alexela Kontserdimaja Tallinn 16 Dec 23 Alte Oper Frankfurt 20 Dec 23 Saenger Theatre New Orleans 21 Dec 23 Fox Theatre Atlanta 22 Dec 23 Detroit Opera House Detroit 31 Dec 23 Kennedy Center Washington, DC 08 Feb 24 Botti At Sea Jazz at Sea Cruise 23 Feb 24 Knight Concert Hall at Arsht Center. Miami 17 Jul 24 Seebühne Bremen Bremen
