Art Porter will never be forgotten, His music was smooth and easy listening. He became one of my favorite Jazz artist. The day he left this earth was heartbreaking 2025 and I still enjoy his music.

I met your cousin in 92′ at the Cotton Club in Chicago. He was very kind to me. I went up to him after his performance as I use to play and was inspired and in awe of his talent..
Today I play as he would had lived..we had spoke a week or so before the tragedy occurred..
I have all his Cd’s and with Pocket City, I saved his info on the business card that was on the tables there at the club..It was a club that entertained jazz up front and they partied in the back..I was there to see the Bulls play and we were club hopping on Michigan Ave. Like 4 clubs I believe all on that same street..
Upon returning home, I stayed in touch..and I knew his wife over the phone only but she was cool..Art came to KC to perform maybe in 94..He came with his Producer Jeff Lorber a Keyboardist and Will Downing..after the show, myself and a couple of friends went upstairs to hang out..Art reminded me he had left me a ticket at the Will Call, but I had already purchased it..
I loved that dude..when we 1st met, he was putting on the final touches on it he said..
For him to treat a total stranger and we became friends..I mean if he was on tour and I called, Barbie would talk for a few and she would pass the message as Art always called her everyday when on tour..His last one, had he made it back, he told me to come to his crib and he’d show me somethings! Yes I looked forward to that! As you know” it didnt happen! Several years went by and approximately in 2005 or so, I contacted his record company to catch up with his wife..They told me what had happened! Omg!
She was pregnant at the time I do believe when he drowned. That story was printed in the Jet. Later I had read where they said the world will miss out on the Grestest Sax Player of all time! Man, reach out to me at 785-221-5037 anytime. Art was so cool and laid back! You would never know he was a superstar because he was that dude! Very HUMBLE! PLEASE say hello to your family and I would love to talk to his kids.
I do have the proof that we met with the Cotton Clubs Business card writtem by him!
God bless sir and I pray all is we!

Sincerely,

Joseph Wakefield
Topeka, Ks