LEWIS PORTER
Hanging with Lewis Porter brings an exciting promise of discovery—some unknown fact about a jazz hero or some new insight into a historic recording. It should be that way, given his reputation as a researcher with few equals: author of the definitive John Coltrane biography (John Coltrane: His Life and Music, 1998) as well as well-read titles on Lester Young and jazz history in general, and initiator of the first master’s program in jazz history at Rutgers University. He has also been moderator of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Talk series, and now produces the well-named Deep Dive blog for WBGO’s website, each entry a veritable detective story full of intrigue and information.
That Porter’s accomplishments would overshadow his first love—performing music—is both a compliment and unsurprising. But that’s changing, according to Porter. “These days, more and more, cats identify me as a player,” he says, adding drily, “And when they play with me they go crazy. I don’t know why. I guess I’m doing something right.” His irreverent, self-deprecating sense of humor—in lectures and conversation he comes across as a hip, updated Groucho Marx—is another point of distinction colleagues and students can confirm.
Among players, Porter’s long been respected for his piano chops, intellect, and wide-ranging vocabulary. Starting as a self-taught pianist who added saxophone to his repertoire for a spell, he’s worked with Dave Liebman, Marc Ribot, Gary Bartz, and Allen Lowe, and he recently appeared in two-piano concerts with Vijay Iyer and Ethan Iverson. He’s co-led a number of bands with saxophonists Phil Scarff and Chris Kelsey, and been featured or titular performer on 26 albums. The last two under his name have been warmly received and added to popular awareness of his stature as a performer: 2018’s , with John Patitucci and Terri Lyne Carrington,, the debut release on the new Next to Silence label.
