Dr Porter studied at the University of Rochester, followed by Master's degrees from Northeastern University and Tufts University and a doctorate in Musicology from Brandeis University.

He is Director of the Master's Program in Jazz History and Research at Rutgers University, where he founded what was at the time the world's first jazz history program. .

Porter also performs frequently with many noted artists. He has released two CDs as a leader, "Second Voyage" (04/01/2002) and "Italian Encounter" (09/01/2007), on the Altrisuoni label.

Dr Porter is author of many books and articles. These include "Jazz: A Century of Change" and "Lester Young".

He is best known for his biography of saxophonist John Coltrane published in 1998. Entitled John Coltrane: His Life and Music (University of Michigan Press), the book has been endorsed by Coltrane's son Ravi Coltrane, Dan Morgenstern, Jimmy Heath, Dave Liebman, and many others.