Eugene Porter (June 7, 1910 – February 24, 1993) was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist.

Early life

Porter was born in Pocahontas, Mississippi on June 7, 1910.^[1] He began on cornet, but when his instrument was stolen he picked up saxophone and clarinet (studying the latter under Omer Simeon).^[1] He moved to Chicago while still in high school, and left school early to start a career in music.^[2]

Later life and career

Porter worked in and around New Orleans as well as on riverboats, with Papa Celestin, Joe Robichaux (1933), and Sidney Desvigne (1935).^[1] He was with the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra from 1935 to 1937, then played with Don Redman briefly before returning to Jeter-Pillars until 1942.^[1] Following this he worked with Jimmie Lunceford (1942) and Benny Carter (1942–44), working as assistant bandleader under Carter and appearing in several films, including with Fats Waller.^[1] He was in the Army in 1944–45,^[1] as part of an Army band,^[2] then played with Carter again and recorded with Dinah Washington (1945), Charles Mingus (1946), and Lloyd Glenn (1947).^[1] After moving to San Diego in 1948, he played with Walter Fuller (1948–60), and led his own ensemble at the Bronze Room in La Mesa, California beginning in 1967.^[1]

Porter was named a member of the St. Louis Jazz Hall of Fame in the 1980s.^[2] He died in San Diego County, California, on February 24, 1993.^[1]

Discography

With Dinah Washington

• Dinah Washington Sings the Blues (Grand Award, 1955)
• Mellow Mama (Delmark, recorded 1945, compiled for release in 1992)

References