James Singleton is an acoustic bassist, composer, and producer. He has been described as one of the best and most sought-after bassists in New Orleans.
He is a member of the New Orleans-based jazz group Astral Project with Johnny Vidacovich, Tony Dagradi and Steve Masakowski. In 2018, he co-founded Outer Park with lifelong friends and childhood band-mates Charles Tobermann and Patrick S. Noonan, and along with vocalist Chelsea Austin created 3 (so far!) album releases.
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.” Astral Project’s live performances are also known for improvisation which Singleton has described as “composing in the groove.” 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 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.
Singleton moved to Los Angeles after Hurricane Katrina, but continued to perform frequently in New Orleans. In December 2008, Singleton returned to New Orleans.
In 2022, he released “Malabar,” an album featuring his own compositions, performed with some of his favorite fellow New Orleans composers and performers.
James Singleton also appears on:
- Brotherhood, by Laurasia
- Beat Nouveau, by Patrick S. Noonan
- Blood from an Orange, by Outer Park
- Galveston / Whispering Pines, by Outer Park
- Whole Lotta Orange, by Outer Park
- Rhythm Section Relief, by Outer Park
- 1968 (slight return), by Outer Park
- Gold Bug Crawl, by the James Singleton String Quartet
- Time Ebbing, by 3now4
- Book of Spells, by 3now4
- 3now4, by 3now4
James also appears on a wide variety of releases, as band leader, band member and session player. You’ll find him in such recordings as:
- Malabar (2022)
- No Revenge Necessary, Nolatet (2018)
- Dogs, Nolatet (2016)
- Cure All, Robert Walter (2008)
- Lost Children, Rob Wagner Trio (2006)
- Super Heavy Organ, Robert Walter (2005)
- Legend of Cowboy Bill, Astral Project (2004)
- A Moment of Peace, Olivier Bou (1995)
- Direct Axecess, Steve Masakowski (1993)
- What It Was, Steve Masakowski (1993)
Press about James includes:
- “James Singleton finds Beauty in Complexity,” Offbeat Magazine, Nov. 24, 2014.
- Video interview for the NAMM Oral History Program (July 5, 2017)