Arthur Lee "Art" Porter, Musician of Note
Arthur Lee "Art" Porter was a gifted pianist of both classical and jazz music. He taught music at numerous schools in Little Rock and was best known as a member of the The Art Porter Trio. One of his sons, Art Jr., went on to have a successful music career.
Arthur Lee "Art" Porter was a gifted pianist, equally at home in the worlds of classical and jazz music. In addition, he was known for his roles as choir conductor and music teacher, among other talents. Porter’s papers, along with those of many family members, are housed with the UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture, Porter Family Papers, 1902-1996, UALR.MS.0188.
Porter was born on February 8, 1934, in Little Rock, the second of two children, to Eugene Porter, Sr., a stonemason, and Lillie Mae Porter, both of Louisiana.
Porter’s musical ability became evident at an early age. He played his first piano recital at age twelve. By age fourteen, he hosted a half-hour classical music radio program on KLRA-AM. Porter enhanced his musical talents by formally studying music. In May 1954, he earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical, and Normal College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), and in 1975 he earned a master’s degree in music from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.
On July 22, 1993, Porter died of lung cancer. He was greatly eulogized at the time of his death, especially by his church, Bethel AME, as he was the organist for thirty-five years. Today, Porter’s legacy continues through his archival collection, The Porter Family Papers, which explores the man’s life as musician, family man, and community supporter.
Family Man
Porter married Thelma Pauline Minton on June 10, 1955. The couple spent their honeymoon at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, while porter pursued graduate studies. During the course of the Porters' marriage, they had four children: Kenneth, Benita, Art, Jr., and Reginald. Art, Jr., would go on to become a noted musician in his own right, specializing in the alto saxophone.
Art Porter had a great love for family and Arkansas and consequentially did not like to travel outside of the state. In fact, he commented that, "I don't like to travel, especially all the time."
Porter did make a few exceptions, however. In 1977, he traveled to the World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture in Lagos, Nigeria. And in 1991, Porter traveled to jazz festivals in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands with his son, jazz saxophonist Art Porter, Jr.
Teacher and Performer
Porter began his teaching career in 1954 at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi. After two years in Mississippi, porter was drafted in the U.S. Army, where he spent two years as a chaplain's assistant in Fort Niagara, New York.
After his stint in the U.S. Army, Porter returned to Little Rock in the late 1950s and spent the next twelve years teaching vocal music at Horace Mann High School, Parkview High School, and Philander Smith College. In addition to his teaching and as a way to supplement his income for his growing family, Porter played jazz piano in the evenings. Though he sometimes played solo, people more often associated him with “The Art Porter Trio.” The trio was in great demand, especially for weddings, country club affairs, and city and state social events. Occasionally famous musicians, including singers Tony Bennett and Liberace, traveling through Arkansas would join the trio on stage and “jam” with the group. Even then-Governor Bill Clinton, a talented saxophonist himself, often joined Porter’s trio.
Besides the Art Porter Trio, Porter played jazz music with his young sons: Art, Jr., Kenneth, and Reginald. Porter experienced controversy, however, as the family often played in public venues that sold alcohol. The state legislature, in support of Porter, enacted the “Art Porter Bill,” which allowed minors to perform in clubs while under adult supervision.
The Famous Son
Art and Thelma welcomed their third child on August 3, 1961, in Little Rock. Arthur Lee "Art" Porter, Jr., became a gifted and talented musician in his own right, excelling at the alto and tenor saxophones. He won numerous musical awards at a young age, including a special citation for outstanding musicianship from the National Association of Jazz Educators in 1980 and recognition as an arranger and composer from Elmhurst College’s Mid-west College JAZZ Festival in 1981.
In 1986, Art, Jr., received his bachelor’s degree in music education and performance from Northeastern University in Chicago, Illinois. He also studied jazz with pianist Ellis Marsalis, father of renowned Wynton and Branford.
Perhaps Art, Jr.’s, most prestigious honor occurred on April 6, 1994, when he played at Carnegie Hall with other noted musicians such as Roy Hargrove (trumpet), Pat Metheny (guitar),and Vanessa Williams (vocals) in celebration of Verve Records at 50: A Gala Benefit for Carnegie Hall and its Jazzed Education Program for High School Students.
Sadly, Art Porter, Jr., died on November 23, 1996, in a boating accident in Thailand. He had just completed a performance at the Thailand International Golden Jubilee Jazz Festival commemorating the 15th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s reign.
Can You Identify These Images?
In addition to Art Porter's personal papers (and those of his son's, Art Porter, Jr.) the Porter Family Papers contain materials from the additional family members, including the Minton and Yancey families (Thelma Pauline Minton Porter's families). These materials include letters, personal papers and business records that document African American life and culture in Lonoke County, Arkansas, and Little Rock, Arkansas, during the early and mid-twentieth century, including cotton farming, schooling, business matters, and the “Great Migration” to Chicago.
Unfortunately, the bulk of the family photographs in the Porter Family Papers are not identified. In order to strengthen the research value of the collection, CAHC requests that people with knowledge of the Porter/Minton/Yancey families visit the Arkansas Studies Institute building to review the Porter Family Papers photographs and, hopefully, identify the images. Please contact CACH at CAHC@ualr.edu if you would like to schedule a convenient time to review the Porter Family Papers, UALR.MS. 0188.