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William Curtis Porter (September 21, 1929 – June 1976), better known as Shafi Hadi, was an American jazz tenor and alto saxophonist known for his recordings with Charles Mingus and with Hank Mobley.
Shafi Hadi | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Curtis Porter |
| Also known as | Shafi Hadi |
| Born | September 21, 1929 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | June 1976 (aged 46) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Saxophonist |
| Formerly of | Charles Mingus, Hank Mobley |
Hadi was born as William Curtis Porter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 21, 1929.[1][2] The 1930 Census indicated his parents were William Porter and Harrietti Porter.[3] At age 6, he received piano lessons from his grandmother.[2] Later, he studied musical composition at Howard University and University of Detroit.[2] Hadi performed with rhythm and blues artists such as Paul Williams, Ruth Brown, and the Griffin Brothers.[2]
Hadi recorded with bassist Charles Mingus between 1956 and 1958.[2] He also recorded with tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley.[4] Hadi improvised the soundtrack music for John Cassavetes's film Shadows, then returned to Mingus's group in 1959.[2][5] He also collaborated with Mary Lou Williams on her 1977 composition "Shafi", although the extent of Hadi's contribution is unclear.[6][7] The 1977 Copyright filing EU841296 by Mary Lou Williams credited words to Hadi, pseud. of Shafi Porter, with music and arrangement credited to Mary Lou Williams.[8]
During the 1950s, Hadi was also active in painting.[2] Between 1965 and 1969 he co-wrote five songs with Lionel Hampton or Gladys Hampton: Bye, Bye,[9] Hamp Stamps,[10] No, Say No,[11] A Sketch Of Gladys,[12] and Mama Knows.[13]
Brian Priestley describes Hadi's performance style as a "distinctive mixture of bop and blues, combined with a very individual tone."[6] Martin Williams, writing in 1958, described Hadi's playing as being "both contemporary and a reflection of an apprenticeship in rhythm and blues bands."[16]
As leader
- Debut Rarities, Vol. 3 (1957, Original Jazz Classics) – Shafi Hadi Sextet[1]
As sideman
With Langston Hughes
- Weary Blues (MGM, 1958)
With Charles Mingus
- The Clown (1957 ; Atlantic Records)
- Tijuana Moods (1957; (issued 1962) RCA Records)
- East Coasting (1957; Bethlehem Records)
- A Modern Jazz Symposium of Music and Poetry (1957; Bethlehem)
- Mingus Ah Um (1959; Columbia Records)
- Tonight at Noon (1961; Atlantic)
With Hank Mobley
- Hank Mobley (1957; Blue Note Records)
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