Hal Singer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hal Singer
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Hal Singer in 2012
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Harold Joseph Singer |
| Also known as | Hal "Cornbread" Singer |
| Born | October 8, 1919 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
| Died | August 18, 2020 (aged 100) Chatou, France |
| Genres | Jazz, rhythm and blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Years active | Late 1930s–1990 |
Harold Joseph Singer (born October 8, 1919 – died August 18, 2020) was an American musician. He was known as Hal "Cornbread" Singer. He led R&B and jazz bands and played the saxophone.
Contents
Early Life
Harold Joseph Singer was born in Greenwood, a part of Tulsa, Oklahoma. This area was mainly home to African Americans. His father worked for an oil drilling company, and his mother was a caterer.
When he was young, Hal Singer lived through the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. During this terrible event, his family's home was burned down. His mother's employer, who was white, helped Hal and his mother travel to Kansas City. They stayed there with family until the violence in Tulsa ended. Because of the riot, the official records of Singer's birth were lost.
Singer first learned to play the violin as a child. Later, he switched to instruments that use reeds, like the saxophone. He chose the tenor saxophone after hearing famous musicians like Ben Webster and Lester Young.
His father wanted him to have a "proper" job. So, Singer went to the Hampton Institute. He graduated in 1939 with a degree in agriculture. Even while studying, Singer often took time off to play music with local bands.
Musical Journey
Starting Out
In the late 1930s, Singer began playing in local bands. He played with Ernie Fields' band. In 1943, he joined Jay McShann's orchestra. After that, he moved to New York City. He played in other bands and then joined Oran "Hot Lips" Page's band in 1947. Around this time, he also started working as a session musician for King Records. A session musician is someone who plays on recordings but is not a permanent member of the band.
"Corn Bread" and Beyond
In early 1948, Hal Singer left Page's band. He started his own small group. He signed with Mercury Records and released his first song, "Fine As Wine." The other side of the record was "Rock Around the Clock." This was not the same song as the famous one by Bill Haley.
For the Savoy label, he recorded an instrumental song called "Corn Bread." This song became a big hit, reaching number 1 on the R&B charts in September 1948. The R&B charts list the most popular rhythm and blues songs. This hit made Singer very famous and gave him his nickname, "Cornbread." His next song, "Beef Stew," released the following year, was not as big a hit.
In the early and mid-1950s, he continued to record with Mercury Records. He also toured with R&B artists like The Orioles and Charles Brown. He worked more and more as a session musician. In 1958, he started recording with Prestige Records as a jazz soloist. He also performed at the Metropole Cafe in New York. There, he played with jazz legends like Roy Eldridge and Coleman Hawkins.
Life in France
In 1965, Singer toured Europe with Earl Hines' group. After the tour, he decided to stay in France and settled near Paris. He kept recording music and toured a lot around Europe and Africa. He even performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Charlie Watts.
Later, in 1981, Singer played on the live album Rocket 88 with the band Rocket 88. He also recorded two albums in London for John Stedman's record label, JSP. One album was called Swing on it, and the other, Big Blues, featured Jimmy Witherspoon. In 1989, he recorded "Royal Blue" with Al Copley.
Acting
Hal Singer also appeared as an actor. He was in the movie Taxi Blues in 1990.
Awards and Recognition
In 1969, Hal Singer's album Paris Soul Food won a special award. The French Record Academy gave it an award for the best international LP. On this album, Singer played saxophone and sang. Robin Hemingway helped with the singing and production. Manu Dibango also played saxophone and organ.
In 1974, Singer went on a tour of Africa with Horace Parlan. This tour was sponsored by the State Department. The French government gave Singer a very important award called "Chevalier des Arts." This title recognizes his contributions to the arts.
His Legacy
A documentary film about Hal Singer was made in 1999. It was called Hal Singer, Keep the Music Going. The film was directed by Guetty Felin. It used Singer's own home movies, old pictures from the jazz era, and videos of him in Paris. It showed him performing concerts and teaching jazz to younger musicians in France. The film also featured spoken word poet Jessica Care Moore performing with Singer.
Personal Life
Hal Singer lived to be over 100 years old. He became a centenarian on October 8, 2019. He passed away on August 18, 2020.
Discography
- 1948 "Fine As Wine" & "Rock Around the Clock" (Mercury)
- 1948 "Corn Bread" – as leader
- 1949 "Beef Stew" – as leader
- 1959 Blue Stompin' – Hal Singer and the Charlie Shavers Quintet (Prestige)
- 1960 Blues by Lonnie Johnson – Lonnie Johnson Quintet (Bluesville)
- 1963 Blues in the Night – as leader (Fidelio)
- 1968 A Funky Day in Paris – Johnny Letman (Black & Blue)
- 1968 Milt and Hal – Milt Buckner (Black & Blue)
- 1969 Paris Soul Food – as leader (Polydor)
- 1969 Kidney Stew is Fine − Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (Delmark)
- 1971 Blues and News – as leader (Marge)
- 1973 Grey's Mood – Al Grey (Black & Blue)
- 1975 Soul of Africa – as leader (Le Chant du Monde)
- 1977 Le Grand Voyage / The Long Trip – as leader (Pastoral)
- 1981 Rocket 88 – Rocket 88
- 1981 Swing on it – as leader (JSP)
- 1990 Royal Blue – as co-lead with Al Copley – (Black Top)
- 2010 Challenge – as co-lead with David Murray – (Marge)
See also
In Spanish: Hal Singer para niños
