James Singleton (musician)

James Singleton is an acoustic bassist, composer, and producer. He is a member of the New Orleans-based jazz group Astral Project with Johnny Vidacovich, Tony Dagradi, and Steve Masakowski. He has been described as one of the best and most sought after bassists in New Orleans.[1]

James Singleton
James Singleton at Jazz Fest, performing as Woodshed (with Roland Guerin and Tim Green) on May 4, 2007
Background information
Birth nameJames Evan Singleton
Born (1955-10-08) October 8, 1955
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsDouble bass
Associated actsAstral Project, 3 Now 4, Rob Wagner Trio, Stanton Moore Trio

He has performed with John Scofield, Stanton Moore, and John Medeski as well as John Abercrombie, Art Baron, Ellis Marsalis, Earl Turbinton, Eddie Harris, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Lionel Hampton, Arnett Cobb and Banu Gibson among others. He has recorded with Chet Baker, Alvin "Red" Tyler, James Booker, Johnny "Tan Canary" Adams, Charlie Rich and Zachary Richard among others.

He produced Astral Project's Elvado which won OffBeat magazine's 1998 Best Modern Jazz Album of the year award. Although Elvado has been described as "straight-ahead bop-influenced jazz with a Crescent City ambiance"[2] Astral Project's live performances are also known for improvisation which Singleton has described as "composing in the groove."[3]

He has led projects such as "3 Now 4," "The James Singleton Orchestra" and "The James Singleton Trio."

Some of Singleton's recent projects include playing as a member of the New Orleans saxophonist Robert Wagner Trio[4] and the New Orleans keyboardist Robert Walter Trio. In early 2007 he toured nationally with Skerik and Mike Dillon. In 2008 various projects included an experimental jazz string quartet composed of two former Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra members Dave Rebeck and Matt Rhody as well as cellist Helen Gillet.[5] Singleton moved to Los Angeles after Hurricane Katrina, but continued to perform frequently in New Orleans.[6] In December 2008, Singleton returned to New Orleans.

Selected discography

References
  1. Review of "James Singleton Orchestra" LiveNewOrleans.com, Retrieved December 7, 2007
  2. Review of Elvado Jack Bowers, AllAboutJazz, Retrieved December 7, 2007
  3. Astral Project Review Kristin Ciccone, Jambase, Retrieved December 7, 2007
  4. The Big Picture Archived 2007-07-17 at the Wayback Machine Rob Cambre, OffBeat.com, May 26, 2007, Retrieved July 2007
  5. James Singleton String Quartet Archived 2007-05-04 at Archive.today Alison Fensterstock, Gambit Weekly, February 5, 2008, Retrieved December 18, 2008
  6. BASSIST INSTINCT James Singleton may be living in L.A., but his heart is still in New Orleans Keith Spera, nola.com/Times-Picayune, June 23, 2006, Retrieved August 3, 2007
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