Gregory Porter on why he always wears a hat as fans praise 'moving' performance

17 December 2023 , 10:19

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Why does Gregory Porter wear a hat? (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Gregory Porter is known for his distinctive smooth jazz vocals, and has released a series of hit tracks including Hey Laura and Liquid Spirit.

The Brookyln-based musician has been compared with such music greats as Joe Williams, Nat King Cole, Donny Hathway and Marvin Gaye, and after he appeared on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday (December 17), he was inundated with praise online from people who said his performance was "moving" and called him a "class act".

Gregory is making a series of public appearances following the release of his newest album, Christmas Wish - which includes a series of covers and three original festive tracks - and fans have taken to the internet to find out why the musician is always seen wearing a hat.

Gregory Porter is known for his distinctive style and voice (No credit)

Porter always wears a modified flat cap for public appearances, with what appears to be a Balaklava underneath, which wraps around his head and underneath his chin. Gregory has discussed the hat's role as a security blanket and refers to it as his "jazz hat".

In an interview with Jazz Weekly when asked "What's with the ubiquitous hat?", Porter replied: "I've had some surgery on my skin, so this has been my look for a little while and will continue to be for a while longer. People recognise me by it now. It is what it is."

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Meanwhile, Gregory also opened up to the BBC about his distinctive accessory as he said: "People recognise me by it now." He added that he does not want the focus to be on the hat but instead on his "heart and soul".

Porter was born in Los Angeles and was raised in Bakersfield, California, where his mother was a minister.

He graduated high school in 1989 and received an athletic scholarship to San Diego State University (SDSU Aztecs). Unfortunately, a shoulder injury during his junior year of high school restricted his football career.

His debut album, Water, released in 2010 via Motema Music, was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the Grammy Awards. He was also a member of the original Broadway cast of It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues. His second album was released on February 14, 2012. The title track was also nominated for Best Traditional RandB Performance at the Grammy Awards.

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