Celebration for Art Porter comes off in spite of snow

It was a meant to be a big jam session and a celebration, and it was.

Although the Feb. 7 concert was dampened a bit by heavier than expected snowfall, For the Love of Art: A Musical Tribute to Art Porter Sr. was a fitting celebration of what would have been the jazz pianist’s 80th birthday.

The Cajun’s Wharf gathering featured an “all-star lineup” of local and out-of-state musicians - representing such ensembles as The Vintage Jazz Masters, The Julia Buckingham Group, Tonya Leeks and Friends, and SOULution - who played with Porter or were inspired by him.

Delighted guests were treated to memorable performances of such pieces as “Black Fox,” “Cold Duck” and “Theme from Shaft.”

Bandleader Danny Fletcher recognized Leon Adams, owner of the former Diplomatic Club (also known as “The Diplomat” or simply“The Dip”), located on Little Rock’s historic Ninth Street. Adams received a framed copy of “Club Diplomat,” a jazz composition by Milton Jackson and performed for the first time at the event. Also recognized were students Korey Fells, who’s been accepted into the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and Joshua Fletcher, who was chosen to do a residency with the U.S. Army School of Music.

Attendees were encouraged to make donations to Art Porter Music Education Inc. The organization provides music scholarships and education, and is named for Porter, who died in 1993, and his son, jazz saxophonist Art Porter Jr., who died in 1996.