New Music: Gregory Porter brings jazz to the masses and lights up Disney’s TV advert 

Activities

Attractions

Published on Wednesday, 08 December 2021 11:11

Last Updated on 09 December 2021

Monica Costa

0 Comments

Two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz musician and crooner Gregory Porter’s mellow feel-good music is particularly uplifting during the festive season. One of his songs has been chosen for Disney’s Christmas TV advert. The advert celebrates the power of storytelling to inspire imagination and the magic created by reading together.

 

The creation of the advert also enabled Make-A-Wish UK to grant a very special wish for 13-year-old Dylan, whose wish was to be an animator.

Porter performs original soundtrack ‘Love?Runs Deeper’ in the festive short film ‘The Stepdad’ that follows an extended family’s journey as they navigate their first Christmas together. 

Emotive original song Love Runs Deeper -written by LA-based songwriters PARKWILD –  is available to download now. For every download before 31st December 2021, 100% of the proceeds from the retail price will be donated to Make-A-Wish International, the charity that creates lifechanging wishes for children with critical illnesses that can be an important part of the healing process. Since 1980, Disney has helped Make-A-Wish grant more than 145,000 life-changing wishes around the world – bringing light, hope and joy to wish children and their families.

Watch the lovely animation here: 

In the film you can spot a Skating Minnie Mouse soft toy and Journal inspired by the storybook in the ad. They are cute and now available exclusively from shopDisney.  

In November I saw Gregory Porter performing at the packed Royal Albert Hall full of loyal fans who adoringly shouted nice words to him. 

I enjoyed all his songs particularly the brand new ones from his latest 34-track double album Still Rising (available from here), an exquisite selection box of musical delights. The first disc includes five brand-new tracks, two new arrangements and nine of Porter’s most loved global favourites. The second disc features breath-taking covers and duets, boasting songs with Paloma Faith, Moby, Jamie Cullum, Jeff Goldblum, Ella Fitzgerald and many more.

Of the collection, Porter said: “This is my music up until now, but it’s not a ‘Greatest Hits’. They often come at the end of someone’s career, and I still feel new and young in mine. I have much more to say. There is always something in an artist’s career that people don’t know about; I wanted to bring it to their attention. The album title echoes my last one, All Rise, because I am reiterating something evident in my music and the new songs here – this upward-looking optimism about life and love. It’s an unfinished story for me, both musically and personally. And I’m still learning how to do this. Still rising.”

Over the past decade, Gregory Porter has taken the world by storm, bringing contemporary Jazz to the masses. Collecting numerous accolades and acknowledgements, including two Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album. He is a well-loved favourite on TV shows such as Graham Norton, Jools Holland, Strictly Come Dancing and was the first celebrity to sing on CBeebies Bedtime Stories!

In 2019 the singer launched and hosted his own podcast, ‘The Hang’, which has amassed two successful series to date and played host to a range of celebrity guests. Earlier this year, Porter released ‘The PorterHouse with Gregory Porter’ Presented by Citi, a six-episode cooking series in which the singer shares recipes inspired by his local community, culinary experiences on tour and his own family cooking traditions.

A seasoned performer, Porter has performed for The Queen on multiple occasions, singing Amazing Grace at the Royal Albert Hall and at the 70^th Anniversary VE Day celebrations & the iconic Pyramid stage at Glastonbury. A global phenomenon, he consistently sells out venues worldwide. This year, after a long break due to the covid-19 pandemic, Gregory Porter sold out four stellar performances per across 3 dates at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. He will be returning to create the magic all over again in May 2022 for a wider UK Tour. Further details below, tickets available here.

GREGORY PORTER UK TOUR DATES 2022

LEEDS                                          FIRST DIRECT ARENA                                              7^TH MAY 2022

MANCHESTER                         AO ARENA                                                                    8^TH MAY 2022

BOURNEMOUTH                  INTERNATIONAL CENTRE                                     10^TH MAY 2022

BIRMINGHAM                        RESORTS WORLD ARENA                                      11^TH MAY 2022

CARDIFF                                    MOTORPOINT ARENA                                            13^TH MAY 2022

BRIGHTON                               THE BRIGHTON CENTRE                                         14^TH MAY 2022

GLASGOW                                 SSE HYDRO                                                                   16^TH MAY 2022

 

Visit gregoryporter.com/tour for more info.

TRACK LISTING  

CD 1

01 – Hey Laura

02 – Liquid Spirit

03 – Revival

04 – Illusion

05 – 1960 What?

06 – L.O.V.E

07 – Holding On

08 – Concorde

09 – If Love Is Overrated

10 – I Will

11 – Real Good Hands

12 – My Babe

13 – Bad Girl Love

14 – No Love Dying

15 – Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?

16 – Dry Bones

17- Love Runs Deeper

18 – It’s Probably Me

 

TRACK LISTING

CD2

01 – Natural Blues (with Moby & Amythyst Kiah)

02 – Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (with Jamie Cullum)

03 – Raining in My Heart (with Buddy Holly)

04 – People Will Say We’re in Love (with Ella Fitzgerald)

05 – GrandMas’ Hands (with Ben L’Oncle Soul)

06 – Christmas Prayer (with Paloma Faith)

07 – Insanity (with Lalah Hathaway)

08 – Make Someone Happy (with Jeff Goldblum)

09 – Fly Me To The Moon (with Julie London)

10 – Satiated (with Dianne Reeves)

11 – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (with Renée Fleming)

12 – The Girl From Ipanema (with Nat King Cole)

13 – Water Under Bridges (with Laura Mvula)

14- Right Where you are (with Lizz Wright)

15 – Heart and Soul – (with Yo-Yo Ma & The Silkroad Ensemble, Lisa Fischer)

16 – Making Love (with Trijntje Oosterhuis)

 

Follow Gregory Porter:

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram