Description
David Lasocki, James Singleton, Rhythm Crusader: The Life and Work of the New Orleans Jazz Bassist and Bandleader, second edition published 2018.
The first-published in a series of five original e-books about the New Orleans modern jazz group Astral Project; now in its second edition.
Also available in print on amazon.com and other amazons around the world.
Since moving to New Orleans in 1976, James Singleton has been one of the city’s most sought-after bass players, primarily in jazz or all kinds, but also blues, R&B, funk, and folk. Since 1978, he has been a mainstay of New Orleans’ leading modern-jazz group, Astral Project, led by Tony Dagradi, which is still performing after 40 years. In 1995, he co-founded the free-jazz group 3NOW4 with Dave Easley. In the 2000s, he began to unveil his own groups: the James Singleton Trio, Quartet, String Quartet, and Orchestra, featuring his own singular compositions (pun intended). In the 2010s, he has been collaborating with the Nolatet and WATIV, and in various duos and trios with younger musicians.
In this book, drawing on interviews with James and some 40 other New Orleans musicians as well as unbelievable amounts of other research, David Lasocki paints a lively picture of the life and times of this dynamic figure. James’s recordings are analyzed, and a comprehensive discography is included.
“Great work on a great subject! I enjoyed reading about James and everyone else. Many details were unknown to me.”
Olivier Bou, New Orleans jazz saxophonist
“… very well-written indeed. It’s quite amazing how it keeps interest high, even in passages that could easily degenerate into long lists of recordings and dates and facts. I read it with great pleasure.”
David Daniels, conductor and author (and James’s uncle)
