host posted on August 01, 2011 11:05
Little Rock, AR ‐Central Arkansas is just days away from an unprecedented week of exciting jazz performances featuring a stellar line‐up of national recording artists August 1‐6, 2011. “A WORK OF ART,” presented by Porter’s Jazz Café, Copeland’s Famous New Orleans Restaurant and Bar and Art Porter Music Education (APME), supports scholarship fund‐raising efforts benefiting deserving high school students pursuing music and is a commemorative birthday celebration in honor of Little Rock’s own renowned saxophone recording artist, Art Porter, Jr., who would have turned 50 this year.
The week kicks off with a proclamation designating August 1‐6, 2011 “Art Porter Week” by Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore, who is also the Honorary Chairman for A WORK OF ART and includes performances by noted jazz pianist and composer Alex Bugnon; producer, composer and jazz pianist Jeff Lorber and incomparable jazz and R&B song stylist Lalah Hathaway. Other performances, including the next generation of Porters, will also take place throughout the city at many of the venues were Art Porter, Jr. played.
Participants say the celebration is a fitting tribute to the Porter legacy and Art Jr., in particular, who is gone far too soon. Porter died in a boating accident in Thailand in 1996 following a performance at a festival celebrating the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, but had spent the latter part of his life honoring his father, Art Porter Senior, a noted educator, musician and television producer, by inspiring a whole new generation of musicians through scholarship efforts. “Art Porter , Jr. was a world‐renowned recording artist and he indeed traveled the world, but Little Rock to Art Jr. was home. This was the community he loved and would forever give back to,” said Moore.
A WORK OF ART
Week of Events Monday, August 1st Noon Porter City Proclamation “Art Porter Week”
Tuesday, August 2nd Noon Porter Performers High Noon Street Performance @ Metropolitan National Bank Plaza
Wednesday, August 3rd ‐Art Jr.’s, Birthday A Celebration of Art! An Evening with Jazz Pianist and Composer Alex Bugnon ‐Porter’s Jazz Café (Sponsorship Only) Info @ artporter.org.
Thursday, August 4th Porter Session Jam Session @ The Afterthought Talented Arkansans pay tribute to Art (Donations)
Friday, August 5th @ 7 PM Fusion in the Rock An evening with producer, composer and jazz pianist Jeff Lorber‐Cajuns Wharf Tickets available @ artporter.org and Cajun’s ‐$15
Saturday, August 6th@ 7 PM Rhythm on the River Featuring Jazz and R&B Song Stylist Lalah Hathaway Tickets available @ticketmaster.com $25 in advance; $35 at the gate
For sponsorship information or more on this incredible week of jazz, call (501) 492‐9120, see artporter.org, “like” us on Facebook or follow us on twitter.
Subtitle: “Art Porter Week”