Gregory Porter
The Award-winning singer, 49, on performing for The queen, his love of cooking And The sad loss of his brother lloyd
Not a lot of people know this, but I’m very good at…
cooking. My mum taught me to cook when I was a 13-year-old. She had eight children, so I had to learn quickly to help her out.
My nickname is…
Luther. After Luther Vandross. When I first started singing in college that’s what people called me.
My best friends are…
my brothers. My mother always encouraged brotherly love. She would say, “Look at your brother and tell him you love him. Kiss him on the cheek and tell him you will never betray him.”
I once put that line into a song I wrote because it genuinely means so much to me.
The bravest thing I’ve ever done is…
save my little brother
Dionne from drowning. I was only seven when I saw him fall into a swimming pool.
My perfect evening in is…
cooking something beautiful on the grill for my kids, my family and my brothers. During the lockdown I came to appreciate the extra time I enjoyed with my loved ones.
I’d like to say sorry to…
my mum – for not always being the best kid in the family. She taught me so much, but I’m not sure I thanked her for believing in me – and helping me find myself as a singer.
The best thing my parents taught me is…
to stay humble and respect others. Every week my mother would cook food and take it down to the homeless people in our town. Even on my cooking show I take what is left over to feed the homeless.
The last time I cried was…
when my brother Lloyd died last year from Covid. We were very close and I miss him so very much. I couldn’t even go to his funeral. That makes me very sad, because Lloyd was my brother and my best friend.
The first record I bought
was… If Only For One Night by Luther Vandross.
If I could pass any law I would…
reform the way the police are operating in America. There is an unconscious bias when dealing with African American citizens and there are too
many deaths.
It’s not very good for my image but…
when I don’t wear my trademark hat, I don’t get recognised. I can walk through an airport without my hat, and nobody gives me a second look.
My favourite place in Britain is…
London. I’m a huge fan of the city. I have played the Albert Hall many times and it was an honour to be in that magnificent building. I have also been to Buckingham Palace and sang for the Queen.
‘without my hat i don’t get recognised’
The best day of my life was…
being interviewed by Stevie Wonder. That was amazing. At the end of the interview he said, “Gregory, why don’t you come out for dinner with me?” So, I did, and we had the most wonderful time.
The Porterhouse with Gregory Porter is available on Youtube. All rise, The new album by Gregory Porter, is out now.