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Zutty Singleton
Zutty Singleton, Adele Girard (Gottlieb 07861) (cropped).jpg
Zutty Singleton with Adele Girard on harp in 1939; photo: William P. Gottlieb
Background information
Birth name Arthur James Singleton
Born Bunkie, Louisiana, U.S.
(1898-05-14)May 14, 1898
Died July 14, 1975(1975-07-14) (aged 77)
New York City
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Drums
Years active 1915–1970
Associated acts Louis Armstrong, Bubber Miley, Tommy Ladnier, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Jimmie Noone

Arthur James "Zutty" Singleton (May 14, 1898 – July 14, 1975) was an American jazz drummer.

Career

Tommy Potter, Max Kaminsky, Benny Morton, Zutty Singleton, Adele Girard, Teddy Wilson, and Joe Marsala, National Press Club, Washington, D.C., ca. 1939 (William P. Gottlieb 03591) (cropped)
Tommy Potter, Max Kaminsky, Benny Morton, Zutty Singleton, Adele Girard, Teddy Wilson, and Joe Marsala, National Press Club, Washington, D.C. in 1939

Singleton was born in Bunkie, Louisiana, United States, and raised in New Orleans. According to his Jazz Profiles biography, his unusual nickname, acquired in infancy, is the Creole word for "cute". He was working professionally with Steve Lewis by 1915. He served with the United States Navy in World War I. After returning to New Orleans he worked with Papa Celestin, Big Eye Louis Nelson, John Robichaux, and Fate Marable. He left for St. Louis, Missouri, to play in Charlie Creath's band, then moved to Chicago.

In Chicago, Singleton played with Doc Cook, Dave Peyton, Jimmie Noone, and theater bands, then joined Louis Armstrong's band with Earl Hines. In 1928 and 1929, he performed on landmark recordings with Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five. In 1929 he moved with Armstrong to New York City.

In addition to Armstrong in New York he played with Bubber Miley, Tommy Ladnier, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton and Otto Hardwick. He also played in the band backing Bill Robinson. In 1934, Singleton returned to Chicago. He returned to New York in 1937, working with Mezz Mezzrow and Sidney Bechet.

In 1943, he moved to Los Angeles, where he led his own band, played for motion pictures, and appeared on the radio program The Orson Welles Almanac (1944). He also worked with Slim Gaillard, Wingy Manone, Eddie Condon, Nappy Lamare, Art Hodes, Oran "Hot Lips" Page, and Max Kaminsky.

Death

Singleton retired after suffering a stroke in 1970. He died in New York City in 1975 at the age of 77. His wife Margie (sister of Charlie Creath) died in 1982 at the age of 82.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Zutty Singleton para niños

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