Revive Presents An Exclusive Interview With Gregory Porter Ahead Of Their Blue Note 75th Anniversary Celebration At Central Park's SummerStage On Sunday, 08/03.
REVIVE preps for the upcoming Blue Note 75th Anniversary celebration at Central Park's SummerStage with an exclusive interview with dynamic singer Gregory Porter. The in-depth chat precedes a free blockbuster performance this Sunday, August 3rd where Porter will perform alongside the Revive Big Band led by Igmar Thomas, Terence Blanchard, Jean Baylor and Chris Turner. Porter's chat with REVIVE covers everything from sharing stages with Stevie Wonder to his excitement about this weekend's show and his plans for 2015. Take a look at the text below to get a taste of the full interview.
Revive: There was a picture that surfaced with on Okayplayer’s Instagram with you and Stevie Wonder. How did that come about?Gregory Porter: We were at my concert in Copenhagen and he came to see my show. When it was time to do the encore, he decided that he wanted to come down and play the encore with me. He’s apparently listened to my records and likes it and came to my show. He played “Free” with me on the last tune at Copenhagen. It was a great surprise for the audience and myself.
R: We’re all very excited that you’re playing SummerStage with the Revive Big Band and for Blue Note’s 75th Anniversary. What has Blue Note has meant for you as an artist and as a music fan?
GP: I was always searching for Blue Note records when I started to collect vinyl. I wasn’t collecting vinyl from pristine shops; I was shopping at thrift stores and yard sales. I was just trying to score and get a Blue Note record. It didn’t matter who the artist was because I knew it was going to be cool.
Being on the label has been quite amazing. Signing with the label was a major thing. I think I got more congratulations on Facebook when I signed with Blue Note than I did for winning a Grammy. The reach that both Blue Note and Universal has in the industry and the reputation they have has been really beneficial for me. It’s been a very positive thing for me.
R: What can fans expect to hear this Sunday at Central Park? Have you played your music with a big band before?
GP: I had played my music with orchestras around the world, but this is my first time working with the Revive Big Band. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be exciting. There’s always excitement when you’re working with new artists that happens with the music that refreshes it. I will be doing music from all my records from Water, Be Good, and Liquid Spirit. I’ll also be featuring songs with my band. So we’re going to mix it up and have fun with music.
R: What are your plans for the rest of the year going into 2015?
GP: I still have an extensive amount of touring in 2014. I’m writing as I’m on the road. I’ll probably go into the studio next year to record another [album]. But I’m really feeling my environment and really immersing myself in the environment and seeing what that means musically. I write from personal experience, emotion, and things that I see with convictions about mutual respect. I don’t know what the next record will be like or what it will sound like. So I’m just grabbing at the air and seeing what it will be. There are no guarantees in this art. So I’m just keep on feeling and see what I come up with.
Check the footage below to get a taste of what Gregory Porter brings to the stage. Purchase Gregory Porter's Liquid Spirit LP via iTunes. Check the flyer above for information about the upcoming SummerStage show. Get further details about the FREE event via REVIVE and nycgovparks.org.
