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Porter Steele / Arr. Walter Melrose
Porter Steele composer
date of birth: 12.12.1880
date of death: 20.12.1966
Porter Steele (December 12, 1880December 20, 1966) was an American lawyer and musician, known as the composer of the march and later jazz standard "High Society".
He was born in Natchez, Mississippi, the son of Hiram Roswell Steele (18421929), who was Attorney General of Louisiana (1875-77) before moving to Natchez and then Brooklyn where he continued to practice as a lawyer. Porter Steele studied law at Yale University, graduating in 1902. While there, he composed the march "High Society", which he copyrighted in 1901 and which was first recorded in 1905. Over time, the composition became a standard, recorded by both military bands and jazz bands, including those of Alphonse Picou, Charles A. Prince, and King Oliver. Steele's other compositions include "The Lobster's Promenade".
He was born in Natchez, Mississippi, the son of Hiram Roswell Steele (18421929), who was Attorney General of Louisiana (1875-77) before moving to Natchez and then Brooklyn where he continued to practice as a lawyer. Porter Steele studied law at Yale University, graduating in 1902. While there, he composed the march "High Society", which he copyrighted in 1901 and which was first recorded in 1905. Over time, the composition became a standard, recorded by both military bands and jazz bands, including those of Alphonse Picou, Charles A. Prince, and King Oliver. Steele's other compositions include "The Lobster's Promenade".
