Porter Poindexter pictured in the 1970’s

Porter Ross Poindexter, 91, esteemed and sought-after NYC freelance trombonist, passed away on Sept. 15, 2025 in his home at The Bristal in Westbury, NY, with his daughter holding his hand.

For over three decades — from 1968 to 1999 — he was a devoted member of Local 802. Possibly one of his proudest moments was performing on the front line leading off NYC’s Labor Day parade with Local 802 in the 1980s.

Born on May 30, 1934 in New Castle, Indiana, Porter graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 1957 with a bachelor’s in Music. He was drafted into the Army in 1957 and served as a member of the 7^th Army Symphony, supporting America’s cultural diplomacy initiatives in Europe after WWII. Porter married his high school love Jeanne in 1964, and they moved to NYC in 1967.

At Eastman in 1957, Porter premiered Walker’s Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, which composer George Walker had written specifically for him. His career included playing with the New York Philharmonic and American Symphony Orchestra; for Alvin Ailey, Joffrey Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance, New York City Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem; numerous Broadway shows such as “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “La Cage aux Folles,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Cabaret”; and multiple engagements with critically acclaimed orchestras in the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center, performances at the White House, and others. He especially enjoyed performing with the Little Orchestra Society and playing at the occasional educational event at local public schools.

In addition to having perfect pitch and high standards for himself and others in music, Porter was a grammarian, was always ready to engage in vigorous political discussions, and had cooking skills on a par with his musical capabilities. He was a demanding father who also liked to have fun. Porter focused on raising his twin daughters, walking them home at night from the subway with treats, sometimes waking them up for a midnight snack of Kentucky Fried Chicken, ensuring they knew how to properly throw and catch a football and baseball, and had high expectations for their academic achievement and social mores. He and his wife Jeanne were determined to instill their fierce self-sufficiency, critical thinking, empathy and sense of fairness in their daughters.

Porter is survived by his twin daughters, Portia Poindexter and Carla White, his son-in-law Felix Pitre, two grandsons Sylvan and Rafael, his niece Stacey Maupin Torres, cousin Marshall Carter and beloved family friend Delmar Clontz. He was predeceased by his wife Jeanne S. Poindexter.

Donations in Porter’s memory can be made to:

• Local 802’s Emergency Relief Fund for musicians in need (tax deductible) at https://erf.local802afm.org/donate, or
• Doctors Without Borders at https://give.doctorswithoutborders.org/campaign/675296/donate

Obituary submitted by Carla White