The band played on

A Work of Art benefits youth music program

As a large audience of Art Porter Music Education supporters waited for Norman Brown to take the stage Aug. 5 in the Robinson Center’s William Grant Still ballroom in Little Rock, mistress of ceremonies Pamela Smith appeared instead with some bad news.

The Grammy-winning jazz guitarist had experienced a “medical emergency” that necessitated a trip to the hospital, and would be unable to perform, she announced. Brown was the headliner who was to wrap up the 13th edition of “A Work of Art,” a weeklong fundraising celebration hosted by APME — a nonprofit that honors the legacies of the late jazz pianist Art Porter Sr. and jazz saxophonist Art Porter Jr. by nurturing young musical talent. (That “A Work of Art” has amassed some loyal supporters was evident by the cries of “No!” when Smith, after making the announcement about Brown, mentioned the availability of refunds for the concert.)

In Brown’s absence his band performed, delivering a short but sweet program that included the songs “That’s the Way Love Goes,” “Let’s Get Away,” “Summertime,” “I Can’t Help It,” “Superstitious” (with some extra funk mixed in) and “Champagne Life.”

Earlier in the evening APME President Sterling Ingram presented a scholarship to Joi Porter (no relation), a young guitarist who graduated with honors this year from Maumelle High School and is on her way to Berklee College of Music in Boston. Porter then displayed her considerable talent during a performance of the APME All Stars, which included past scholarship winners.

Also part of “A Work of Art” were an Aug. 2 concert featuring keyboardist Ronnie McBride at the Ron Robinson Theater; an Aug. 3 concert by violinist Chelsey Green at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre; and an Aug. 4 free jam session by the Porter Players at the AC Hotel by Marriott.

Scholarship winner Joi Porter with her parents, Dorothy and George Porter

Jackie Porter and Thelma Hollis with Dr. Geraldine Edwards Hollis and Jack Hollis of Stockton, Calif.

Dr. Paula Martin-Fletcher, Crystal and Dr. Ikemefuna Onyekwelu, and Dr. Anthony Fletcher

Dwight Nelson, Gwen Terry, and Reginald and Georgette Mitchell, all of Pine Bluff

Chelsey Green performs Aug. 3 at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

Pamela Smith with Benita Porter-Browning, Art Porter Music Education executive director; and APME President Sterling Ingram

Adrienne Brown, Joel “Jammin’ JC” Crutcher, and Tonya Leeks

Ebony Blevins and her mother, Paulette Blevins

Charles and Rosiland Hunter with Muskie Harris

Jordan Lee of Fayetteville, William Lee and Scott Green

Nan Maureen Renaud and James Thomson

Michael Warrick and Paula Anderson

Nicki Barnes and Michael Hutchinson

R.S. McCullough and Sterling Ingram

Michael and Jerry Cobb

Ronnie McBride performs Aug. 2 at the Ron Robinson Theater.