THAILAND: ART PORTER, ONE OF THE GREATEST SAXOPHONISTS OF JAZZ DROWNS IN A BOATING ACCIDENT

Record ID: 584615

  • Title: THAILAND: ART PORTER, ONE OF THE GREATEST SAXOPHONISTS OF JAZZ DROWNS IN A BOATING ACCIDENT
  • Date: 24th November 1996
  • Summary: KANCHANABURI, THAILAND (NOVEMBER 24, 1996) (RTV) 1. LV RESCUE TEAM AT RESERVOIR 0.08 2. MV DIVERS PREPARE TO SEARCH FOR BODIES 0.11 3. SLV RESCUE WORKERS SEARCHING 0.21 4. MV VILLAGERS WATCHING 0.25 5. MV RESCUE WORKERS CARRYING BOAT'S MOTOR FOUND UNDER WATER 0.30 6. MV A FRIEND OF MISSING SAXOPHONIST ART PORTER
  • Embargoed: 9th December 1996 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: KANCHANABURI, THAILAND
  • City:
  • Country: Thailand
  • Reuters ID: LVA7SQGN7V77DHNH2KNL8N3H9MWM
  • Story Text: INTRO: - One of the great saxophonists of jazz, Art Porter, has drowned in a boating accident. He had arrived in the Thai capital Bangkok last week to join 40 other jazz musicians in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the king's accession to the throne.

    Arthur Lee Porter, 35, and two Thais drowned after their overloaded boat capsized on Saturday (November 23) while crossing an agricultural reservoir in Kanchanaburi.

    The American saxophonist performed last Wednesday (November 20) on the first night of a five-day jazz festival.

    Porter was only 15 years old when he began playing alto saxophone. He entered the Berkeley College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts a year later, and performed in nightclubs in Litle Rock, Arkansas -- hometown to U.S. President Bill Clinton.

    Porter was reported to have known the president well. While governor of Arkansas, Clinton was instrumental in passing state legislation on behalf of Porter and other jazz artists who were too young for live venues.

    Under the Arkansas State Legislation Act 321, known as the "Art Porter Bill", an underage artist is allowed to perform in bars and clubs as long as his or her legal guardian is present.


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