POTSDAM -- Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Gregory Porter opens the CPS 2014 Guest Artist Series with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 in SUNY Potsdam’s Hosmer Concert Hall.

Porter’s 2013 album “Liquid Spirit” has earned a Grammy nomination for Best Vocal Jazz Album. The track “Hey Laura” has been nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance. That makes for four Grammy nods in four years for Porter.

Porter had his first breakthrough with his 2010 album “Water,” and “Liquid Spirit” has critics raving. The New York Times called it “soulful and assured,” and the album made many best-of lists.

“Here’s the next great male jazz singer,” said Patrick Jarenwattananon, blog editor for NPR Jazz. “‘Liquid Spirit’ is great, but he’s even better live, surrounded with a long-running band that knows what he’s after and enables it splendidly,”

Porter will be joined by the original band members from “Liquid Spirit.” The artists include pianist Chip Crawford, percussionist Emanuel Harrold, bassist Aaron James and saxophonist Yosuke Sato. The band has been together since their first jam sessions took place at Harlem’s storied St. Nick’s Pub just a few years ago.

CPS Guest Artist Series flex subscriptions and single tickets are on sale and can be purchased through the CPS Box Office, now in SUNY Potsdam’s new Performing Arts Center, or at Northern Music & Video in downtown Potsdam. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 267-2277, or by visiting www.cpspotsdam.org.

You can see a video of “Liquid Spirit’s” title track at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07rb7QQYk7E&fs=1&rel=0