Two Sold-Out Shows in One Night
On March 15, 2014, The Sugar Club experienced something extraordinary—two completely sold-out performances by Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter in a single evening. The demand was so overwhelming that the venue packed beyond capacity, with some ticket holders even choosing to watch from the sidebar through windows rather than brave the heat of the main room. It was clear from the outset that Dublin had caught wind of something special: a baritone voice of uncommon warmth and power, combined with songwriting that spoke to universal human experiences.
This double-header performance came just weeks after Porter won his first Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “Liquid Spirit” at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, cementing his status as the most exciting male jazz vocalist of his generation. Dublin’s jazz community, ever attuned to authentic talent, had recognized Porter’s genius before his mainstream breakthrough—and they turned out in force to witness it firsthand.
A Voice That Commands Attention
When Gregory Porter takes the stage, his presence is immediately commanding. Standing 6-foot-5 with broad shoulders pulled back and chest protruding, he carries himself with a gentlemanly stance likely refined during his time in the original Broadway cast of “It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues.” But it’s when he opens his mouth that the real magic happens—a rich, warm baritone that The New York Times described as possessing “a gift for earthy refinement and soaring uplift.”
At The Sugar Club, Porter’s band—featuring keys, drums, double bass, and saxophone—took their positions before the singer made his entrance at half-eight. They opened with “Painted on Canvas” from his second album “Be Good,” immediately establishing the fusion of Porter’s velvety vocals with his talented, likeable band that critics had described as “simply magical.”
A Journey From Football Field to Jazz Stage
Gregory Porter’s path to jazz stardom is as remarkable as his voice. Born in Sacramento, California, and raised in Bakersfield by his minister mother Ruth (his father Rufus was largely absent), Porter grew up immersed in Southern Gospel music and his mother’s Nat King Cole record collection. These twin influences—the spiritual fervor of church music and Cole’s sophisticated elegance—would become the foundation of Porter’s distinctive sound.
His initial career trajectory seemed destined for the football field rather than the concert stage. Porter earned a scholarship to San Diego State University as an offensive lineman, but a devastating shoulder injury during his junior year in 1990 ended his athletic dreams. It was his mother, from her deathbed when Porter was just 21, who encouraged him to pursue singing. Her words transformed loss into purpose, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to international acclaim.
After college, Porter moved to Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood to work as a chef in his brother Lloyd’s restaurant by day while singing in small jazz clubs by night. These humble Brooklyn and Harlem venues—places like Sistah’s Place, Solomon’s Porch, and St. Nick’s Pub—became his training ground, where he honed his craft and developed the emotional depth that would define his artistry.
The Sugar Club Performance: Highlights and Magic Moments
The March 2014 Sugar Club performances showcased Porter at a pivotal moment in his career—confident in his artistry yet still hungry and connected to his audience. The setlist spanned his first two albums, demonstrating both his vocal range and his gift for storytelling.
“On My Way To Harlem,” an upbeat tune with shimmering cymbals, was preceded by one of Porter’s characteristic anecdotes—the story of meeting his band at Nick’s Pub in Harlem. This ability to connect through narrative, to make each song feel like a shared confidence, created intimacy even in the packed venue.
“No Love Dying” featured an enchanting, unexpected saxophone solo that emerged slyly from the arrangement, while “Work Song” provided a spotlight for the drummer’s skills. The teasing intro for “Lonesome Lover” led into Porter powerfully crooning “Take me back where I belong”—his voice carrying the weight of genuine longing.
“Hey Laura,” a graceful meditation on a love drawing to its close, showcased Porter’s ability to convey vulnerability. At times his voice adopted a raspy quality with a slight crackle reminiscent of Ray Charles, adding texture to the emotional landscape of the song.
But it was “Water Under Bridges” that emerged as the evening’s highlight. The universal appeal of the song’s theme—forgiveness, moving forward, letting go—resonated powerfully with the Dublin audience. One particularly bold audience member even sang from the back of the venue, giving Porter “a run for his money” in a moment of spontaneous communion between performer and listener.
The ‘Liquid Spirit’ Phenomenon
By the time Porter arrived in Dublin, his 2013 Blue Note Records debut “Liquid Spirit” had already become something of a phenomenon—rare for a jazz album in the contemporary market. The album reached the Top 10 on UK album charts and was eventually certified gold by the BPI after selling over 100,000 units. NPR declared Porter “America’s Next Great Jazz Singer,” while Jazz Times had been championing him since his earliest releases.
What made “Liquid Spirit” special was Porter’s commitment to original compositions that spoke to contemporary experiences while honoring jazz traditions. Unlike many jazz vocalists who build careers primarily on standards, Porter established himself as a songwriter first—crafting melodies and lyrics that addressed gentrification (“On My Way to Harlem”), political awakening (“1960 What?”), and personal relationships with equal sophistication.
His influences—Nat King Cole’s warmth, Donny Hathaway’s soulful arrangements, Sam Cooke’s gospel-infused delivery, Bill Withers’ straightforward honesty—melded into something distinctly his own. As one critic noted, Porter created “a funky fusion of jazz, blues, soul and gospel” that crossed generational and demographic boundaries.
The Signature Hat and the Story Behind It
For those attending the Sugar Club shows, Porter’s signature look—a black Kangol Summer Spitfire cap that covers his ears and chin—had already become iconic. While some initially found it curious, the hat tells a deeper story about Porter’s journey and his relationship with identity.
Porter has revealed that he received facial scars as a child (though he’s declined to detail the specifics) and underwent surgery in his twenties. The hat, which he adopted before his music career took off, served initially as covering during recovery. “I’ve had some surgery on my skin, so this has been my look for a little while,” he told Jazz Weekly in 2012. By 2020, he acknowledged to The Metro: “It started off covering some scars from surgery, but it’s become my style.”
The hat became more than concealment—it became part of his artistic identity, a visual marker as distinctive as his voice. “People recognize me by it now. It is what it is,” he said, accepting that what began as necessity had evolved into signature.
Why The Sugar Club Was the Perfect Setting
The intimate 350-capacity venue proved ideal for experiencing Porter’s artistry. His performances rely on nuance—the subtle arm movements that aid his storytelling, the dynamics between whisper-soft verses and powerful crescendos, the interplay with his band members. In a larger venue, these details might be lost; at The Sugar Club, every gesture, every inflection, every moment of musical conversation between band members was visible and audible.
The venue’s former life as the Irish Film Theatre contributed to this magic. The tiered seating ensures optimal sightlines, while the acoustic design—originally meant for cinema sound—provides clarity and warmth. The Funktion-One sound system captures the full range of Porter’s baritone, from the lowest rumbles to the highest notes, without sacrificing the organic quality that makes his voice so distinctive.
Moreover, The Sugar Club’s commitment to jazz, soul, and R&B created an audience that came prepared to truly listen. This wasn’t a crowd seeking background music or viral moments—these were devoted music lovers who understood the tradition Porter represented and the innovations he brought to it.
The Broader Context: Jazz’s Current Renaissance
Porter’s Dublin performances occurred during a significant moment for jazz. While the genre has never disappeared, the early 2010s saw renewed mainstream interest in jazz-inflected music, from Robert Glasper’s hip-hop collaborations to Kamasi Washington’s expansive compositions to the soul-jazz revival led by artists like Charles Bradley and Lee Fields.
Porter occupied a unique position in this renaissance—traditional enough to appeal to jazz purists, yet contemporary enough to attract younger listeners raised on neo-soul and hip-hop. His original compositions addressed modern concerns without feeling forced or artificial. His reverence for Nat King Cole and other legends never became pastiche. And his performances radiated genuine joy and connection rather than academic distance.
Dublin’s Special Relationship with Jazz
Ireland has long punched above its weight in jazz appreciation. From Louis Stewart to Tommy Flanagan performances at the old Baggot Inn, from the Cork Jazz Festival to the intimate jazz nights across Dublin’s venues, Irish audiences have consistently supported the genre with knowledge and enthusiasm.
The Sugar Club, since opening in 1999, has become central to this tradition. By programming artists like Roy Ayers, Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper, and Gregory Porter—musicians who honor jazz traditions while pushing boundaries—the venue has cultivated an audience that understands the music’s history and evolution.
Porter recognized this during his Dublin performances. “The Irish crowd always wins,” he would later acknowledge about performing in Ireland. The enthusiasm, the willingness to sing along (even during “Water Under Bridges”), the genuine appreciation for musicianship—all contributed to making these shows memorable not just for the audience but for Porter himself.
The Legacy of That Evening
Looking back, those March 2014 performances at The Sugar Club captured Gregory Porter at a crucial juncture—fresh off his first Grammy win, his star clearly ascending, yet still accessible enough to play two intimate shows in a 350-capacity venue. Within months, he would be performing at major festivals worldwide. Within two years, he would win his second Grammy for “Take Me to the Alley.” By 2016, he would command the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival.
But there’s something special about catching an artist on the cusp—when they’re established enough to deliver polished performances but not so massive that intimacy becomes impossible. The Dublin audience who braved the packed room (or watched through windows) that March evening witnessed exactly that: a world-class talent at the perfect moment, in the perfect setting.
Experience World-Class Jazz at The Sugar Club
Gregory Porter’s sold-out double-header exemplifies The Sugar Club’s commitment to presenting jazz, soul, and R&B’s finest artists. For over two decades, we’ve maintained our reputation as Dublin’s essential destination for discerning music lovers—a place where Grammy winners and emerging talents alike can connect with audiences in an environment that honors both the music and those who create it.
Our intimate setting, superior acoustics, and dedicated programming continue to attract the world’s most compelling voices. From legendary performers to artists on the verge of breakthrough, The Sugar Club remains the venue where magical musical moments happen.