Art Porter Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Art Porter
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Porter during a live event
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Arthur Lee Porter Jr. |
| Born | August 3, 1961 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 1996 (aged 35) Sai Yok, Thailand |
| Genres | Smooth jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1970–1996 |
| Labels | Verve Forecast, PolyGram |
Arthur Lee Porter Jr. (born August 3, 1961 – died November 23, 1996) was a talented American jazz saxophonist. He was the son of another jazz musician, Art Porter Sr.. Art Porter Jr. is also known for "The Art Porter Bill," a special law named after him.
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Art Porter's Early Life
Art Porter Jr. was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1961. He started playing music very young. At just 9 years old, he joined his father's band, The Art Porter Trio, as a drummer. He played with them throughout his teenage years.
Discovering the Saxophone
Later, Art became interested in the saxophone. He noticed how it could create beautiful melodies. So, he started playing the saxophone during shows with his father's group. He graduated from Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School in Little Rock in 1979. There, he played in both the marching and jazz bands.
The Art Porter Bill
When Art turned 16, he faced a challenge. He was too young to perform in clubs that served drinks. At that time, the law prevented underage musicians from working in such places. The Arkansas Attorney General, Bill Clinton (who later became President), helped change this. He was also a saxophonist and understood Art's situation. The law was changed to allow young musicians to perform if an adult guardian was with them. This new law became known as "The Art Porter Bill."
College and Music Studies
Art Porter Jr. continued his music education after high school. He attended Berklee College of Music and Northeastern Illinois University. He earned a bachelor's degree in Arts from Northeastern Illinois University. Later, he went to Roosevelt University and earned his master's degree. During his studies, Art learned piano from Ellis Marsalis Jr., who was also a former saxophonist.
Art Porter's Music Career
In the mid-1980s, Art Porter moved to Chicago, Illinois. He studied the tenor saxophone with Von Freeman. He also performed with famous musicians like Pharoah Sanders and Jack McDuff. In the 1990s, Art became interested in R&B and hip hop. He started mixing these styles into his jazz performances.
Recording Albums
Soon after, Art Porter signed with Verve Forecast Records and PolyGram. He released several albums, starting in the summer of 1992. His first album was Pocket City. This was followed by Straight to the Point, Undercover, and Lay Your Hands on Me. Art and his father even performed for President Clinton in 1993. They played "Amazing Grace" at a prayer breakfast during his inauguration.
Art Porter's Passing
In 1996, Art Porter traveled to Thailand. He was there to perform at the Thailand International Jazz Festival. After the festival, on November 23, he went boating on the Kratha Taek reservoir in Sai Yok. Sadly, the boat he was on began to sink. Art Porter, along with several other people, drowned. He left behind his wife and two young sons. In 1998, an album called For Art's Sake was released in his honor. It included songs from his previous albums and two new ones. It also featured a song by Jeff Lorber dedicated to Art.
Awards and Honors
Art Porter was recognized for his amazing musical talent.
- He was inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame.
- He was also inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame.
- In 1998, he received the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award.
Discography
- Pocket City (1992)
- Straight to the Point (1993)
- Undercover (1994)
- Lay Your Hands on Me (1996)
- For Art's Sake (1998)
