May 4, 2005 - When selecting a recording as an example of classic smooth jazz for someone new to the genre, there could be no finer choice than 'Wishful Thinking', written and performed by Art Porter from his 1996 album 'Lay Your Hands On Me'.

Had it not been for his untimely death in November of 1996 Art Porter would certainly have been up there in the highest echelon of today's smooth jazz stars. Ideal for those of us who prefer our smooth jazz not to be too smooth, Art Porters hallmark thrustful sax playing is perfectly demonstrated on 'Wishful Thinking'.

For Art Porter, musical development began at home in Little Rock, AR with his father Art Porter Snr, an accomplished pianist who played professionally and accompanied both Carmen McCrae and John Stubblefield. Becoming part of his father's band, and trying out several instruments before finally settling on sax, Porter, at age 16, encountered some problems. Being under 21 he was barred from playing in clubs. A law suite resulted and, as a consequence, legislation was passed that allowed under-age performers to work if supervised by a parent or guardian. The Arkansas State Attorney General responsible for this victory for Porter, and for all young musicians that followed him, was no other than that saxophone playing President to be, Bill Clinton.

His musical education continued at a pace and on two fronts as he combined studies at the Berklee Conservatory of Music and at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he became a student of pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis, with a busy tour schedule that included work with organist Jack McDuff and saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders. He gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chicago on a scholarship at North Eastern Illinois University and went on to study at Roosevelt University where he obtained his Master's degree. It was while in the Windy City that he came to the attention of legendary tenor saxophonist Von Freeman and bassist James Leary who took an interest in him.

All of Porters musical influences thus far were brought together for his first album release, 'Pocket City', in 1992. It was produced and engineered by keyboardist Jeff Lorber and immediately gained both critical acclaim and radio play on smooth jazz and urban radio stations.

'Lay Your Hands On Me', the CD from which 'Wishful Thinking' is taken, was Porters fourth album release and came only months before he died in a boating accident. He had been journeying to a remote part of Thailand to perform in a jazz festival when the boat he was riding in capsized.

'Wishful Thinking' is a terrific example of smooth jazz with an edge. It just oozes Porters full rich playing and is underpinned by subtle backing vocals. A mid tempo number that in the hands of a lesser player could have been bland, 'Wishful Thinking' is made into an absolute winner by some top notch production and Porters irrepressible groove. It can be also found on the outstanding Beachwood compilation from 1996, 'JazzFusions Four' and is a track worth searching for.

Check back for more great examples of 'What's Smooth Jazz?' Do you have your own candidate for the 'What's Smooth Jazz?' feature? If so please e-mail me on DenisPoole2000@yahoo.com

- by Denis Poole. May 2005.