Pianos and all that jazz raise money for music

Jazz pianist Lao Tizer and his band members — guitarist Chieli Minucci, and violinist Karen Briggs — played to an appreciative audience Aug. 5 at Little Rock’s Wildwood Park for the Arts. The performance, followed by a CD autograph session, was the final event of A Work of Art. The weeklong musical tribute to the late jazz saxophonist Art Porter Jr. was a fundraiser for Art Porter Music Education.

Host Pamela Smith greeted guests and introduced board president Sterling Ingram, who presented the organization’s 2017 scholarship winners: Grace Zimmerman, a flutist and graduate of Dover High School, and John “Jack” Gardner, saxophonist and Little Rock Central High School graduate.

Opening the concert were the orange-shirted men of the organization’s Minors in Music, featuring violinist Lexington Porter along with keyboardists Matthew Means and Joshua Fletcher, drummer Keith Bates, bassist D’Shawn Lamkin, saxophonist Kendric Kelley and Gardner. They were joined on one number by vocalists London Jones, Tamia Kelley and Wayla Ruth.

Tizer and his band performed a dreamy lineup of jazz numbers, some featuring vocalist Tita Hutchinson. Briggs impressed listeners with her exquisitely frenzied performance and an ability to make her violin do things far outside the traditions of the orchestra pit.

Previous concerts that week included an Aug. 2 performance of jazz pianist/composer Alex Bugnon. Proceeds totaling $26,000 will help Art Porter Music Education to develop youth through music. — Story and photos by

Helaine R. Williams

Rosemary White of Pine Bluff with Muriel Thomas and Kristie Thomas

Al and Glenda Hagood with Sharon Toombs

Susie and Brian Gould with Becky Wilson and Eric Turman, all of Jonesboro

Cathy and Mark Hagemeier with Noel and Renee Washington

Leola and Jesse Thompson

Melissa Woods and James Thomson, president of the Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation