It was a fun time, had by all who attended the Mentors and Minors in Music Education Performance at, the Cajun Wharf Restaurant, in Little Rock.
Under the leadership of Dr. Danny Fletcher, these young men performed liked true professionals at their craft. The event was in honor of the legacy of two great Jazz Musicians, Art Porter Sr. and Art Porter Jr., and the Art Porter Music Education Scholarship Foundation.
Admission was free and hosted by, Pamela Smith, former Co-Host of Good Morning Arkansas. “This is what we do every year in the winter for the love of Art,” said Smith. Smith is now the Communications Director for the Little Rock School District.
According to Dr. Fletcher, this event kicks off the first of several other events this year. “The beginning event is held every February, because it is the birthday of Art Porter Sr. who would have celebrated his birthday February 8th,” he said. “We culminate with our ending concerts which consist of a whole week of jazz the first of August, and it is in the honor of Art Porter Jr.”
Dr. Fletcher said he was taught by Art Porter Sr. and he encouraged him to play music. And although Art Porter Jr. was a few years younger than he, they hung out together. “We loved doing everything at Cajuns because this is where Art played. This was the first venue where I played saxophone professionally,” he said.
Dr. Fletcher says the young musicians are able to perform at this same venue because, when Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas he passed the, Art Porter Law, which allowed underage youths to perform in establishments that served alcohol under the supervision of an adult. “Art Porter Jr. played here when he was in High School,” he said.
Kyron Sing A middle school honor student acted as M.C. for the event and portrayed Art Porter Sr. as he told the back-story of the legendary artist’s life. “I thought the performances were great. I especially liked the solos by the piano and the drummer,” he said.
The Art Porter Sr. Memorial Scholarship provides one thousand dollars to any student in the state attending an Arkansas College and majoring in music. The Art Porter Education Foundation gives funds for instruments for schools in the Little Rock school district and it helps mentor students in the school district and all over the state.
Art Porter Sr. began his music career at home with his mother and by the time he was 8 years old began playing for the church. By the time he was 12 he played his first recital and by the time he was 14 he was hosting a half hour musical program for classical music. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Arkansas A&M, now known as the University Of Arkansas, Pine Bluff.
Art Porter Jr. died while on a boating trip in Thailand in 1996 after performing at the Thailand International Jazz Festival. He was 35 years old.
photo:Charlotte Flowers-Weston