Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England, has announced that Gregory Porter will perform at Westonbirt Arboretum for the first time. The acclaimed American jazz, blues and soul singer will be taking to the stunning forest venue on Thursday 4 July 2024.

Gregory has become known as the UK’s favourite contemporary American jazz artist. His last five albums have all reached the Top 10, with ‘Take Me To The Alley’ (2016), ‘Nat King Cole & Me’ (2017) and ‘All Rise’ (2020) hitting the Top 5. A double Grammy-winner (Best Jazz Vocal Album for ‘Liquid Spirit’ (2014) and Best Jazz Vocal Album for ‘Take Me To The Alley’ (2017) and seven-time Grammy nominee, the singer and songwriter has amassed cumulative streams of 1.6 billion and counting.

Since breaking through almost a decade ago with ‘Liquid Spirit’, Gregory has become a beloved part of the British cultural firmament. The Californian cat-in-the-hat has played at numerous festivals, including Glastonbury (where he wowed the Pyramid Stage) and Radio 2’s Live in Hyde Park. He performed multiple times for the late HM Queen Elizabeth II, most recently as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and has also appeared before HM King Charles III.

Gregory is the latest artist to be announced for a stunning run of shows at Westonbirt Arboretum, along with pop star Anne Marie (5 July) and disco legends Nile Rodgers & CHIC (12 July).

Forestry England uses the money Forest Live raises to maintain beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees. Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees, caring for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests sustainably and welcoming 291 million visits in 2022-23. Everyone in England lives within a one-hour drive of one of the nation’s forests. Over two million people have enjoyed the Forest Live gigs over the last twenty-three years. This year, they present the concerts in partnership with Live Nation’s Cuffe & Taylor for the first time. Gigs will take place at six forests throughout England – Delamere Forest, Dalby Forest, Sherwood Pines, High Lodge Thetford Forest, Westonbirt Arboretum and Cannock Chase Forest.

Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and exclusive pre-sale access at forestlive.com. Pre-sale tickets will be available at 9am on Thursday 7 December before they go on general sale at 9am on Friday 8 December.