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Yorkshire Times
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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
11:00 PM 13th April 2018
arts

Gregory Porter Finds Mainstream Appeal On Current Tour

 
Gregory Porter
Gregory Porter
Personally invited by Gregory Porter to support him on tour, Kris Berry seemed humbled playing the larger venues that Porter is now able to play, such as the Manchester Apollo.

She was able to make the Apollo feel more like a small intimate jazz show with her set which showcased the best of her new album.

By the time she got to Rocket Man and Lazy Kisses she had the audience in the palm of her hand.

Kris Berry
Kris Berry
The huge mainstream success of Gregory Porter is to be applauded: only a few years ago he was only known in this country to a niche jazz market, but his soft, silky voice has found a mainstream audience so that he can now play large venues.

Backed by a talented 6 piece band he introduces the members after only one song in. He starts the show off however with the Disclosure track, Holding On - his cover has brought the dance track to a new audience albeit in a more soulful jazz infused version.

Talking to his audience at length in between songs is part of the show, he jokes he would like to discover Manchester a little more and talks about buying an apartment in the city, to which a fan shouts back that he can stay at his house anytime. You wouldn't get that reaction further south, but then he was in the north.

He sings a touching version of On My Way To Harlem whilst In Fashion is sung note perfect. He makes it look so easy. Take Me to the Alley is a track that is accessible and you can hear why he has crossed over from a cult audience to a mass market.

Liquid Spirit would probably sound even better performed in the open air on a balmy summer night at one of the European Jazz Festivals he is playing this summer, but he has a knack tonight as if he is just singing to you.

As he walks off the stage at the end of his 90 minute set, each band member walks off in turn - it was an unusual end to what had been a gig of pure class from beginning to end.

Tour is at Sheffield City Hall on Sunday 15 April.