Produced by Sh-K-Boom Records, Porter's second solo album is a
collection of Broadway, Gospel and original R&B songs that were
performed live last year at Joes Pub. The CD "is a soulful and
empowering compilation of some of Billy's favorite songs and composers
who inspired him from the time he was young to become the success he is
today...Porter throws himself into his songs, belting high notes,
riffing like a jazz singer and raising the roof like a gospel choir,"
states a press article. The CD will include Porter's interpretations on
the songs of Stephen Sondheim ("Last Midnight" and "Sunday"), Adam
Guettel ("Awaiting You"), Jeanine Tesori ("Let It Sing"), Ricky Ian
Gordon (his setting of Langston Hughes' "Heaven") and Jason Robert
Brown ("King of the World"), as well as Porter's own compositions and
collaborations. George C. Wolfe has contributed an introduction, and
with "Sunday," Porter will be backed by Michael McElroy and the
Broadway Inspirational Voices gospel choir.
At the Corner of Broadway and Soul is produced by Buryl Red, with
Porter credited as executive producer along with Sh-K Boom
founder/executive Kurt Deutsch; musical direction and arrangements are
provided by James Sampliner.
Porter's Broadway credits include the original casts of Miss Saigon,
Five Guys Named Moe and Grease (the 1994 revival), as well as Smokey
Joes Café and Dreamgirls (20th Anniversary Broadway Concert and Los
Angeles production). Off-Broadway and regionally, he has appeared in
Romance In Hard Times, The Merchant of Venice, House of Lear, Radiant
Baby (all at The Public), Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World,
Angels in America (Actors Theatre of Louisville), Going Native (Long
Wharf), Topdog/Underdog (City Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar,
Antigone, A Chorus Line, and Chicago. In addition to his first album,
Billy Porter: Untitled (A&M Records), Porter has contributed tracks
to Home for the Holidays and Jim Brickman's Destiny (Top-ten AC hit).
