Art Porter, Sr.

Who was Art Porter, Sr.?

Art Porter, Sr. was an American jazz pianist from Little Rock, Arkansas. During his musical career, he performed with the Art Porter Trio, founded in 1962, and the Art Porter Singers, founded in 1976. Although primarily playing locally, Porter played FESTAC 77, the World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture held in Nigeria in 1977, and with saxophonist son Art Porter, Jr. did a European tour in 1991 that included festivals in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Porter was also known as an educator. An alum of AM&N College and Henderson State University, Porter taught at various high schools and colleges, including Parkview High School in Little Rock, Mississippi Valley College and Philander Smith College. In addition to producing several education television shows, The Minor Key and Porterhouse Cuts, he is known for his musical influence on former United States President Bill Clinton.

In 1993, Porter received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arkansas Jazz and Heritage Foundation.