NASA has announced that Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter will perform for the rover launch of his historic “Mars 2020 Perseverance” mission. He will sing a special rendition of ‘America The Beautiful’ from his home in California as part of the live coverage of the launch scheduled for Thursday, July 30. Porter is the first artist to be invited by NASA to perform on a mission to Mars.
The release coincides with the premiere of Porter’s new single ‘Concorde’ – a joyous and moving ode to the flight. It’s accompanied by a space-themed music video of Porter dressed as an astronaut and accompanied by his son Demyan. The track is part of their upcoming album All Rise, which will be released on August 28 on Blue Note Records / Universal Music Group.
Gregory Porter said, “It is an honor to be invited by NASA to act on this historic launch. I have always been inspired by space exploration since I was a child and I continue to be amazed every time I look at the sky at night. It is wonderful to be part of this spectacular event and share this collective moment of interplanetary adventure with millions of people from all over the world ”.
Paul Wizikowski, Executive Producer of NASA’s Launch Relay, commented, “The launch of the Perseverance rover to Mars from the coast of America to the Jezero crater on Mars is a milestone in human history. The fact is that this flight will be completed at a time in the history of America in which we must all be persevering, we saw fit to mark this launch focusing on what makes America beautiful. We have asked Grammy Award winner Gregory Porter to sing ‘America The Beautiful’ to remind us that from its fruity plains to its sparkling seas we are in this great story together. ”
NASA’s Rover Perseverance is scheduled to launch on July 30 from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The rover is designed to better understand the geology of Mars and look for signs of ancient life. The mission is to collect and preserve rock and sand samples that can be returned to Earth in the future. It will also record the first audio from the planet and test new technology to benefit the robotic future and human exploration on Mars. Full coverage of the mission will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency’s website, in addition to numerous other platforms.
Those who watch his broadcast will be able to witness the silky voice and exuberant personality that has made Gregory Porter one of the most successful modern jazz singers today. He has achieved global recognition for his Grammy Award-winning albums Liquid Spirit and Take Me To The Alley as well as having sung and sold out stadiums around the world. His sixth album, All Rise, marks the return of his beloved original compositions and sentimental lyrics with everyday philosophy and real-life details, in an exciting mix of jazz, soul, blues, gospel and pop.
“Concorde” is the fifth single from his upcoming record and was written by Porter while on board an airplane. The letters at the beginning reflect a fascination with flight: With a million stars in the galaxy / When I’m floating with them it’s hard for me to see / I’m holding on to this dear earth as it spins around with me (With a million stars in the galaxy / When I float with them it is hard for me to see / That I cling to this dear land while it turns with me). Although Porter is not on tour right now, his love of travel has not changed and his performance for NASA is sure to be from another world.