Gregory Porter

With his customary class, elegance, and sophistication, GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter today announces his first-ever Christmas album, to be released on November 3 via Blue Note/Decca Records. Entitled Christmas Wish it is a loving tribute to his favorite 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, Porter himself has added to the Christmas songbook with three original tracks, soon to be favorites for the festive season, including the first single “Everything’s Not Lost” which is out now.

Backed by his long-time band and produced by repeat collaborator Troy Miller, the album features inspired interpretations of carols, 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 special guest appearance by GRAMMY-winning vocalist Samara Joy.

The theme of sharing and caring at Christmas, and the sense of renewal and revival that comes when the year draws to a close, is all here in Porter’s most personal contribution – his trio of new, self-penned songs, “Christmas Wish,” “Heart For Christmas,” and “Everything’s Not Lost,” an elegant piano ballad that is Porter’s persuasive plea to remember those less fortunate than ourselves. “I'm always thinking of balance” he explains. “That has been instilled in me and it keeps coming up in a lot of my music. At your highest, at your greatest, at your most pleasant time, don't forget about other people who are suffering.”

Christmas Wish features Porter’s longtime pianist Chip Crawford on piano, Emmanuel Harrold on drums and percussion, Gregoire Maret on harmonica, Jahmal Nichols on bass, Ondre Pivec on Hammond organ, Tivon Pennicott on flute, soprano saxophone, and tenor saxphone, and backing vocals by Stephanie Fisher-Alvarenga, Chris Ashley Anthony, and Sheherazade Holman with orchestral contributions from the Kingdom Orchestra. The album was recorded between Sear Sound Studio in New York City and London’s Crossways Studio and Abbey Road Studios.

Lalah Hathaway

Five-time Grammy winner Lalah Hathaway shares the record with Beyoncé for the most ‘Best Traditional R&B Performance’ awards won at the Grammys, each holding three. A sought-after collaborator to some of today’s top hitmakers, undeniable music royalty, and unmatched vocal abilities, Lalah Hathaway is an artist, singer/songwriter and producer not to be slept on. A purveyor of many genres, Lalah’s seven solo albums are complemented by an illustrious track-record of collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Anderson. Paak, Robert Glasper, Rapsody, Snoop Dogg, Esperanza Spalding and more. Her talents have inspired invitations to the stage from music legends, Prince, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock to name a few. As daughter to the late, great Donny Hathaway, Chicago-born and raised Lalah Hathaway has the most soulful of music running through her veins.

Jamison Ross

Gregory Porter

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