- Art Porter, Sr.
Arthur 'Art' L. Porter, Sr., (
8 February 1934 - 1993) was an Americanjazz pianist . He was the father of jazzsaxophonist Art Porter, Jr. .Early life and education
Art Porter was born in
Little Rock, Arkansas on8 February 1934 . Porter graduated from Dunbar High School in 1950 and graduated with aBachelor's degree in Music Education from Arkansas AM&N in 1954. Porter proceeded to earn hisMaster's degree in Music Education fromHenderson State University in 1975.Music career
Porter taught at Mississippi Valley College,
Philander Smith College and at several Arkansas high schools. Porter received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters fromShorter College . Porter served as the choral director, pianist, and organist at Bethel AME Church in Little Rock.Performing
Porter never worked as a touring musician and instead concentrated on teaching and performing in his home state. Porter did appear in 1977 at the
World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77) and at jazz festivals inBelgium ,Germany , and theNetherlands during a 1991 European tour with his son.In 1962 Porter formed the Art Porter Trio which performed around the state of Arkansas for three decades until his death. The group performed primarily at Little Rock night clubs. Many musicians journeyed to Arkansas to take part in the "Art Porter University". Porter developed a friendship with saxophonist and President
Bill Clinton . In 1976 Porter established the Art Porter Singers.Porter maintained a relationship with the
Arkansas Educational Television Network and produced two very well-received programs for the network. "The Minor Key" was a weekly series portraying the black culture of Arkansas and "Porterhouse Cuts" which was a series of 10 programs aired throughout the southeastern United States.During his career Porter appeared on stage with
Pharoah Sanders ,O. C. Smith , Steve Allen,James Leary ,Little Rock Jazz Machine ,Al Hibbler , theNorthwest Arkansas Symphony Orchestra , among others. Porter's groups performed at theEureka Springs Jazz Festival ,Jazzlites ,Wildwood Jazz Festival ,Music Festival of Arkansas ,Hot Springs Arts Festival , and at theArkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation 's Monday Jazz Series. Porter was the first recipient of the Arkansas Jazz and Heritage Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. Porter is also a member of theArkansas Entertainer's Hall of Fame .Albums
Porter produced several albums including Little Rock A.M. and Something Else. On the birthday following his death the album Portrait of Art was released with the proceeds going to help young musicians.
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