The Motet Announces Keyboardist Joey Porter’s Departure

Keyboardist Joey Porter has stepped away from The Motet after 17 years to “pursue other musical endeavours.” The Colorado-based funk revivalists confirmed Porter’s departure in a social media post.

Former Goose keyboardist Kris Yunker will play keys at The Motet’s February shows. Steve “Swatkins” Watkins will then join the band for their spring dates. Watkins is best known as Allen Stone's keyboardist.

Bandleader Dave Watts formed The Motet as a musical collective with a rotating cast of musicians in 1998. Porter has been a mainstay of the lineup since 2009. An iteration of the band that waved The Motet flag over the past few years consisted of Porter, Watts, vocalist Sarah Clarke, guitarist Ryan Jalbert, bassist Garrett Sayers and keyboardist/saxophonist Drew Sayers. The note revealing Porter’s departure was signed by Dave, Sarah, Ryan, Garrett and Drew. Joey Porter also issued a statement of his own.

Read the full statement from The Motet below:

Throughout The Motet’s 28 year history, we’ve built our musical identity around an evolving cast of incredible musicians – sometimes with horn sections, percussionists, background vocalists, or multiple guitarists, or keyboardists. 5 piece bands, 7 piece bands, 11 piece bands.

The past few years have been transformational and extraordinary as we’ve welcomed Sarah Clarke as our singer, and shifted from a larger horn section to Drew Sayers’ double duty on sax and keyboards.

As 2026 starts, we’re opening another chapter in the band’s history.

After 17 years of performing with The Motet, our illustriously funky keyboardist Joey Porter is leaving the group to pursue other musical endeavors. It’s been a great run and we wish him the best. Joey’s creative contributions to the band will remain a permanent influence on the sound of The Motet as we continue to evolve and produce new music.

While Joey’s departure is bittersweet, we are extremely excited about what the future holds for The Motet and what’s to come for the keyboard position. That being said, we are happy to let you know that our Feb 7th and Feb 20th dates will feature our friend and powerhouse keyboardist Kris Yunker, who will join us playing both Motet music and the return of Funk is Dead! And for our March 19th – April 11th shows (including Jamiroquai tributes in Portland + Seattle) we’ll have the incredibly funky Steve Watkins crushing the clav, synth, rhodes, and talkbox!

So while we join you right now in saying farewell to Joey, we want you to know that The Motet will always continue to move forward and transform, because music is the bigger force that connects all of us together.

Stay tuned for more info on Kris, Steve, and future musicians who are going to play with us as we dive into the next chapter of The Motet! We’re excited to have a new look as a band as we continue to grow and find inspiration.

-Dave, Garrett, Ryan, Drew, and Sarah

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View Joey Porter’s statement:

After almost 20 years of playing in the Motet I have decided to leave the band to pursue new musical avenues. I have enjoyed my time in the band and appreciate all of the opportunities that it brought. I wish the band luck with all of their future endeavors.