Gregory Porter Brings His Soulful Brilliance to Opatija’s Summer Stage

Some voices transcend genres. Gregory Porter’s is undoubtedly one of them.

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, the two-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist will take the stage at Ljetna pozornica (Summer Stage) in Opatija, one of the Adriatic’s most breathtaking open-air venues. Presented by Zagreb Jazz Festival and Večernji list, the concert promises an unforgettable evening where jazz, soul, gospel, and rhythm & blues meet beneath the stars.

Before Gregory Porter takes the stage, audiences will be treated to a performance by one of Croatia’s most exciting young guitarists and multi-instrumentalists, Frano Livingston. Despite his young age, Livingston has already shared the stage with an impressive list of international artists, opening concerts for Norah Jones, 2CELLOS, Al Di Meola, Tommy Emmanuel, Zucchero, and Kool & the Gang.

“The audience in Opatija can expect Gregory Porter to absolutely bring the house down. From me, they can expect songs from my new album, perhaps a few from my earlier releases, fresh arrangements of well-known songs spanning different genres and eras, a few jokes on stage, and, above all, a great time.”
— Frano Livingston

Gregory Porter is one of the leading voices in contemporary jazz and soul, as well as a versatile artist—singer, songwriter, composer, actor, and poet. His extraordinary musicality, charisma, and refined performances leave a lasting impression on every audience.

His music draws inspiration from the rich traditions of African American music, blending jazz, R&B, blues, gospel, and soul. From an early age, Porter was immersed in these musical traditions, listening to work songs and blues performed by his parents and relatives, while singing gospel alongside his mother in church.

Porter began performing in small jazz clubs in San Diego while attending San Diego State University on a football scholarship. After moving to New York City, he dedicated himself entirely to music, and his career took off with the release of his first two albums, Water (2010) and Be Good (2012), both of which received Grammy Award nominations.

In 2013, he released Liquid Spirit, his first album for Blue Note Records. It quickly became a global success, selling more than one million copies worldwide and earning Porter his first Grammy Award. NPR hailed him as “the next great American jazz singer.”

After primarily performing his own original material on earlier albums, Porter dedicated his 2017 release Nat King Cole & Me entirely to his lifelong musical hero. The very first jazz record he ever heard was by Nat King Cole. Growing up without a father, Porter came to see Cole as a father figure as well as his greatest musical inspiration. Listening to Cole’s records, he imagined he was singing directly to him.

In 2023, Porter delighted fans with his first Christmas album, Christmas Wish, featuring beloved holiday classics alongside three original songs. Throughout his career, Porter has collaborated with many acclaimed artists, including Dianne Reeves, David Murray, Jamie Cullum, Lizz Wright, Lalah Hathaway, and Renée Fleming.

He has received numerous awards and accolades, including two Grammy Awards and eight Grammy nominations. The Jazz Journalists Association and DownBeat Magazine have repeatedly named him the world’s finest jazz vocalist.

Porter often speaks about the artists who have profoundly influenced him, including Langston Hughes, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, John Coltrane, Mahalia Jackson, Bob Marley, and Miles Davis.

Although he regularly interprets songs by other composers, Porter writes the majority of the music and lyrics he performs. During his two-decade career, he has created a remarkable catalogue of acclaimed songs, including “Hey Laura,” “Liquid Spirit,” “If Love Is Overrated,” “Musical Genocide,” and “Mister Holland.”

Many of Porter’s songs also explore important social and political themes, addressing injustice and reflecting on the challenges facing modern society with honesty, empathy, and hope.

Tickets are available through Entrio, and with interest already running high following Porter’s previous Croatian appearances, early booking is highly recommended.

The Concert Witness will be there to capture the evening.

See you there!

Partners:
ZAGREB JAZZ FESTIVAL, VEČERNJI LIST