You want to avoid a white background if possible. It is usually a good choice for high-key portraits, but in reality not really great for other portraits.
The reason is basic art. You want to create tonal values to build a sense of a 3rd dimension. White does not allow you to create any depth in an image.
In most art, tonal values go from 1-white to 10-black. You want to create a tonal value of at least 4 in your portraits because that gives markers of reference for that 3rd dimension.
For example, glamour shots have almost no facial tones. This is done to eliminate blemishes and "perfection" flaws. A flatter light (and sometimes a buttefly style light) hides large noses, thin faces, texture in the skin, etc.
When you do a master's portrait, broad and short lighting are more common because you create shadows that give a more representative image.
The same is true with the background. Your background should give a sense of space inbetween the backdrop and the subject. This avoids that "body floating in space" feel.
I would use a neutral brown/tan and then cut the light to either create a master's stroke (a burst of light in the center and allow shadows at the edges) or a slash of light (a geometric line or separation line between the bright and dark area of the backdrop).
Another way of building more depth to the images is by rim lighting and hair lights.
Here is an exampel of a slash light in the background (created naturally)
Here is an example of a shot I did on location. I used a harsh side light and some soft shadows to create that 3rd dimension, and then used DOF to create a sense of distance from the subject to the background.
To give a contrary example. Here is a photo I took of a family. While the girl has a 3D effect with shadow...you see that the mom and the background do not. They are all just fall into blackness and there are no longer any references to key off of. It created a sense of intimacy (black will do that), but it would not be great for a regular portrait.
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