Biography
Who is Gregory Porter?
Early life and education
Gregory Porter was born in Sacramento, California, on November 4, 1971, and raised in Bakersfield, California, where his mother Ruth worked as a minister. He grew up alongside seven siblings and attended Highland High School, graduating in 1989. His mother encouraged him to sing in church during his early years, which heavily influenced his musical style.
After finishing high school, Gregory received a full athletic scholarship as a football lineman at San Diego State University. However, a shoulder injury during his junior year prematurely ended his football career. His mother later passed away from cancer when he was twenty-one years old, leaving him with her parting words to keep singing.
Career and music
Gregory moved to the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn in 2004 alongside his brother Lloyd. He worked as a chef at his brother's restaurant, Bread-Stuy, where he also performed for patrons. He later secured a weekly residency at St. Nick's Pub in Harlem, which ultimately served as the foundation for his touring band.
His early albums Water and Be Good were released on the Motéma label before he signed with Blue Note Records in 2013. His third studio album, Liquid Spirit, achieved big commercial success and earned him the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2014. He earned a second Grammy Award in 2017 for his fourth album, Take Me to the Alley.
Beyond his studio work, Gregory has released multiple albums including All Rise and Christmas Wish. He has also appeared on television programs such as The Graham Norton Show, performed at the Glastonbury Festival, and participated in reality television as Dressed Crab on The Masked Singer UK in 2025.
Personal life
Gregory is married to Victoria and the couple has two sons, making their home in Bakersfield, California. His brother Lloyd passed away in May 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.
For his public appearances, Gregory consistently wears a distinct Kangol Summer Spitfire hat that covers his ears and chin. He adopted this signature look due to skin surgery and facial scars sustained when he was a child, and the hat has since become a recognizable part of his public identity.
Birthday and age
Gregory Porter was born on November 4, 1971, which makes Gregory 55 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Gregory shares the date with 43 other famous people.
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