Biography
Porky Cohen achieved his widest recognition during his time as trombonist with Roomful of Blues, yet his first session as a leader did not appear until 1996 on Bullseye Blues. The album, which drew on many of the same musicians, proved thoroughly engaging. He began playing trombone at age 13 and regarded Jack Teagarden as his chief early influence. Local jobs occupied him from age 15, and after finishing high school in 1941 he studied with Miff Mole. An audition with Benny Goodman preceded engagements with Tony Pastor’s band, intermittent work with Charlie Barnet between 1943 and 1948, the Casa Loma Orchestra, Lucky Millinder, Tommy Dorsey, Boyd Raeburn, and Artie Shaw from 1949 to 1950. During the 1950s he performed with numerous Dixieland ensembles, later joining Bob Wilber & the Six and remaining with the Jewels of Dixie from the late 1950s into the late 1970s. Cohen served as a valuable member of Roomful of Blues from 1979 to 1986 before opting for semi-retirement; he died on April 14, 2004.
Albums