Al White a True ‘Friend of Jazz’
To the Editor:
If you tried to define “Friend of Jazz,” you wouldn’t look any further than to have known Al White.
Al’s lifelong passion was classic jazz music. While other children idolized movie stars and professional athletes, Al idolized jazz musicians. He traveled the world listening to and promoting jazz including an annual trip to Odessa, Texas, to attend the West Texas Jazz Party for over 50 years. In 2000, Al published his book, Jazz Party, a tribute to all the men and women who brought him endless joy through music. He was later inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame in 2002 for his dedication and efforts in promoting jazz music. Al cherished the countless friendships and stories jazz brought into his life, and you would be hard-pressed to find a classic jazz musician who could not share a fond memory of Al White.
Al’s life was multi-faceted: President of the Pine Bluff (AR) Rotary Club, President of the Arkansas-Missouri Cotton Trade Association, BBA Degree from the University of Arkansas, U.S. Army Officer (Cryptography) assigned to Washington D.C. during the Korean War, and most of all, promoter/producer of jazz performances in Arkansas and Tennessee for over 40 years.
Along with his wife Ann and friends, Al welcomed hundreds
