Simple Melodies, Danceable Beat Pay Off for Art Porter

Keyboardist Jeff Lorber and saxophonist Art Porter may get a lot of knocks from critics and purists who embrace acoustic mainstream music, but they are among the most popular artists now in jazz. Their contemporary jazz format, which mixes in elements of pop and R&B;, has grown by leaps and bounds over the last several years and translated into huge record sales.

Lorber’s Verve/Forecast album “Worth Waiting For,” which was on the Billboard Contemporary jazz charts for close to 30 weeks this year, has sold more than 100,000 copies. Porter’s “Straight to the Point,” also on Verve/Forecast, has been on the charts for 15 weeks and is approaching that figure.

Though some contemporary instrumental jazz artists like Pat Metheny regularly sell in the 300,000 album range, the Lorber and Porter figures are very respectable figures--particularly when you consider two things: This is Lorber’s first album in seven years and it’s only Porter’s second release. By contrast, when a straight-ahead album sells 100,000 units--as has Joe Henderson’s Grammy-winning “Lush Life”--it’s considered almost astounding. The average mainstream album sells between 5,000 and 30,000 copies.

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Porter, who appears with Lorber and singer Will Downing on Wednesday at the Strand in an all-star show dubbed “Hot Autumn Night,” says there are good reasons for the popularity of music like his and Lorber’s, which features uncomplicated melodies and a danceable beat.

“This music is entertaining and it has energy. It definitely has a groove, and we play it with integrity,” said Porter in a telephone interview from Detroit, where the “Hot Autumn Nights” show recently sold out a 2,000-seat venue.

The music, which has alternately been called jazz/fusion, pop/jazz and jazz/funk, is growing, according to the saxophonist.

“It’s always been there, but new radio formats have helped,” Porter said, referring to programming that mixes in some non-mainstream jazz with more mainstream pop and R&B; selections.

Another important factor, according to Porter, is Kenny G who “ . . . opened the door to a saxophone audience, and has allowed a lot of saxophone players to express themselves in a way they would like to.”

Porter, son of the Chicago pianist of the same name, has a background in straight-ahead jazz. He said that fans of that form could get something from his music. “I think people need to be more open-minded,” he says. “There is value in what I play, and people can enjoy it just as much as mainstream.”

The saxophonist was asked if financial considerations were a key factor in his decision to abandon his mainstream jazz roots for the contemporary jazz format.

Not a chance, he responded.

“This kind of music is more popular than mainstream jazz is now, and there may be more of a financial return playing it, but I do this because I enjoy playing this stuff,” he said. “I’ve always liked Earth, Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder. I’m open about music. I think you can love one kind as much as the other.”

Jazz Redux: Jazz has returned to St. Mark’s in Venice.

When the spiffy restaurant/ nightspot opened at 23 Windward Ave. four years ago, the musical menu was strictly jazz. Such notables as singer Jon Hendricks and alto saxophonist Lee Konitz graced the room’s stage.

But after about a year, St. Mark’s closed for financial reasons. When it reopened in May, 1989, R&B; was the music of choice. Now, along with the R&B;, jazz acts such as Poncho Sanchez, Rick Margtiza and Kei Akagi and the Black/Note quintet are being featured.

“We just want bands that we love, and that people want to listen to,” says Nancy Des Jardin, St. Mark’s office manager. “Some people want jazz, some want R&B;, so we cater to both crowds.”

Upcoming jazz acts at St. Mark’s include saxophonist Boney James, tonight; Sanchez on Nov. 27; Black/Note on Dec. 9 and saxophonist Everett Harp on Dec. 10.

Information: (310) 452-2222.

New Room: Pianist Kenny Kirkland and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, members of Branford Marsalis’ “Tonight Show” band, kick off on Wednesday the new once-a-week jazz policy at Tatou, the Beverly Hills eatery located at 233 N. Beverly Drive. The sessions, which begin at 10 p.m., will be produced by John Sterling, producer of the cable TV show “The Jazz Network.” Guest artists are expected to sit in. Coming up on Dec. 1: keyboardist Michael Wolff, leader of the “Arsenio Hall Show” band.

Information: (310) 274-9955.