Jazz Articles about Art Porter

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Tribute to Art Porter Jr.: Reflections of a Grateful Art

by Liz Goodwin
June 11, 2017

During the early to mid '90s, soprano and alto saxophonist-composer Art Porter, Jr. was charting a blazing course on the contemporary jazz soundscape. The 35-year-old Little Rock, Arkansas native had recorded and released four albums for Verve Records. He had been a guest on the albums of such titans as keyboardists Ramsey Lewis; Jeff Lorber (who also produced and played on three of Porter's albums); and Tom Grant; guitarists Lee Ritenour and Evan Marks; and powerhouse vocalist El DeBarge, to ...

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Art Porter: For Art

by Dave Hughes
July 1, 1998

For Art's Sake is sort of a grab-bag compilation of live performances, remixes and other miscellaneous selections featuring the late saxophonist Art Porter. Porter drowned in 1996, cutting short a promising career; indeed, these performances illustrate that Porter was a talented, accomplished player who was still in the process of developing his own voice, both in terms of sax playing and musical style. This mostly garden-variety contemporary jazz-flavored R&B.

The live cuts come off the best. The opener, “Lake Shore ...

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Various Artists: A Twist of Jobim

by Douglas Payne
May 1, 1997

This appropriately “smooth jazz" tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim is perhaps one of the best that's come out over the last few years. Like many of Jobim's records, it goes down like a smooth, relaxing drink. Producer, arranger and nominal leader guitarist Lee Ritenour has collected some fine talent, particularly frequent collaborator Dave Grusin, and crafted some very nice moments throughout. Highlights include “Water to Drink" (featuring Ritenour and Grusin), “Captain Bacardi" (an old Ritenour / Grusin staple with Eric ...