Gene Porter

Who was Gene Porter?

Gene Porter was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist.

Porter began on cornet, but when his instrument was stolen he picked up saxophone and clarinet. He worked in and around New Orleans as well as on riverboats, with Papa Celestin, Billy King, Clarence Desdunes, Tab Smith, John Robichaux, and Sidney Desvigne. He joined the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra from 1935 to 1937, then played with Don Redman briefly that year before returning to Jeter-Pillars until 1942. Following this he worked with Jimmie Lunceford, Fats Waller, and Benny Carter, working as assistant bandleader under Carter and appearing in several films. He joined the Army in 1944-45, then played with Carter again and recorded with Dinah Washington, Charles Mingus, and Lloyd Glenn. After moving to San Diego in 1948, he played with Walter Fuller, then led his own ensemble at the Bronze Room in La Mesa, California beginning in 1967.

Porter was named a member of the St. Louis Jazz Hall of Fame in the 1980s.