SARASOTA -- John D. LaPorta, an internationally renowned jazz clarinetist, performer, composer and educator, died May 12, 2004, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital after a long illness. He was 84, the Herald Tribune reported today.

LaPorta played and recorded with Buddy Rich and Miles Davis. From 1944 to 1946 he was a performer/composer for the Woody Herman Orchestra.

A service will be at 8:45 a.m. Saturday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. A memorial concert will be held later.

Memorial donations may be made to the John LaPorta Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 20223, Sarasota, FL 34276-3223.