Art Porter Sr.

Art Porter Sr. (8 February 1934 – 22 July 1993) was an American jazz pianist from Little Rock, Arkansas.

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.

He produced several education television shows, including The Minor Key and Porterhouse Cuts (the latter of which was broadcast throughout 14 states in the US southeast).

He was an acquaintance of former Arkansas governor (and president of the United States) Bill Clinton, who sometimes played with Porter on saxophone.

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