Gregory Porter – Nat "King" Cole & Me

Nat King Cole & Me by Gregory Porter

A deeply personal and elegantly restrained tribute, Nat King Cole & Me finds vocalist Gregory Porter revisiting the timeless repertoire of Nat King Cole through a contemporary jazz lens shaped by warmth, respect, and emotional clarity.

Rather than simply imitating Cole’s iconic phrasing, Porter reinterprets these classics with his own rich baritone and gospel-influenced delivery, creating a dialogue between eras rather than a recreation of one. The result is an album that feels both nostalgic and newly alive, highlighting the enduring emotional resonance of these songs.

The arrangements are lush but understated, often built around gentle piano voicing, soft strings, and intimate rhythmic support that allow the vocals to remain central. Tracks like “Smile”, “Nature Boy”, and “Mona Lisa” are handled with particular sensitivity, emphasizing lyrical storytelling over embellishment.

Porter also introduces an original composition, “When Love Was King”, which sits naturally alongside the Cole repertoire, reinforcing the idea that this is not just a tribute but a conversation across time. Throughout the album, there’s a consistent sense of reverence balanced with individuality - Porter never overshadows the legacy he’s honouring, yet never hides within it either.

Ultimately, Nat King Cole & Me stands as a thoughtful bridge between classic vocal jazz and modern interpretation, reaffirming the lasting influence of Nat King Cole while showcasing Gregory Porter’s own identity as one of today’s most expressive jazz vocalists.

Tracklist:

1. Mona Lisa – 4:19
2. Smile – 4:18
3. Nature Boy – 3:45
4. L-O-V-E – 2:09
5. Quizás, Quizás, Quizás – 4:31
6. Miss Otis Regrets – 4:31
7. Pick Yourself Up – 3:12
8. When Love Was King – 7:44
9. The Lonely One – 4:34
10. Ballerina – 2:54
11. I Wonder Who My Daddy Is – 3:48
12. The Christmas Song – 3:46