Zutty Singleton And His Orchestra

Arthur James Singleton, better known by the nickname Zutty Singleton (born 14 May 1898 in Bunkie, Louisiana; died 14 July 1975 in New York), was a jazz drummer.

He had been a professional musician since 1915. He was enlisted in the US Navy during the First World War. On his return to New Orleans, he played with various bands, including those led by Papa Celestin, Big Eye Louis Nelson, John Robichaux and Fate Marable. He then moved to St Louis (Missouri) to play with Charlie Creath’s band, before settling in Chicago (Illinois).

In Chicago, Singleton played with Doc Cooke, Dave Peyton and Jimmie Noone, before joining Louis Armstrong’s band. He took part in the recordings of Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five in 1928. In 1929, he moved to New York at the same time as Louis Armstrong.

Singleton then continued to play with Louis Armstrong, as well as with Bubber Miley, Tommy Ladnier, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton and Otto Hardwick. He also played in Bill Robinson’s orchestra.

In 1934, Singleton returned to Chicago, then to New York in 1937 to work with Mezz Mezzrow and Sidney Bechet.

In 1943, he moved to Los Angeles, California, to lead his own orchestra, performing film scores and also on Orson Welles’ radio programmes.

In 1951, he recorded *Drum Face*, which quickly became a classic drum solo in the jazz drumming repertoire. A study of Zutty Singleton’s style in *Drum Face* was carried out by Guillaume Nouaux in the book *Jazz Drums Legacy* (2Mc Editions, 2012).

He went on to play with Slim Gaillard, Wingy Manone, Eddie Condon, Nappy Lamare, Art Hodes, Oran “Hot Lips” Page and Max Kaminsky.

Zutty Singleton retired in 1970 following a health scare.

Translated from French by DeepL