James Singleton and free-improvisation
Talking about New Orleans and just having posted a video of my new free-improvisation-project, one name immidiately came up. The first time I came across free-improvisation was actually in New Orleans in 2012.
I was studiying at Loyola on St. Charles Avenue and from time to time they would have concerts. This one day, one of my favourite bass-players would come out to play. His name is James Singleton. He is especially known for being the bassplayer in one of the most famous band, coming out from NOLA: ASTRAL PROJECT!!! This band consists of no one less than Tony Dagradi on Saxophon (lucky enough, I had some lessons with him), Johnny Vidacovich on drums (very crazy and inpsiring character - in a good way), James Singleton on bass and Steve Masakowski on Guitar (funny side-story: I met his Son a couple of years earlier in Rotterdam, where he was studying, later on he would stay at my place in the Redlight-district in Amsterdam for some time).
After the concert in the lounge on my campus we started having a nice conversation. unfortunately James had to run off to his next show, which was a free-improv-performance in an old neighbourhood-theatre. He would just take me with him in his car there, which was amazing, talking about music with him and life. Arriving at the Theater I could really feel some kind of voodoo. And then the show started which I did not have any clue what it would be. Basically the 4 musicians set up in this space in the different corners and the audience would sit in the middle. Next to me was a older black lady which was tripping and chanting, completely in her zone to the sound which was around her. (I told you Voodoo - there is a big Voodoo-History in New Orleans btw). The Quartett had James on Upright and another charakter on drums: Simon Lott. Additionally they have Guitar and Keys!!!
https://soundcloud.com/wativ
https://wativ.bandcamp.com/album/syntaxis
Its amazing what they do, using also lots of effects! I was amazed by the athmospheres they created. It would take me some time till I moved to Leipzig in January 2015 till I was very affected by the approach of free improvisation. But now I remember that this evening had a strong effect on me.
To continue the story of this evening, after the show James took me to his 3rd and final gig that night at “Maple Leaf” -Bar, where he would play some funky music (I think with Johnny Vidacovich and Skerik on Saxophon). What an amazing evening this was. Later on I would pass by his house for a lesson/hang.
James would tell me one thing, if you want your music to be played, make it simple. Then you’ll find your guys which you feel comfortable with! Yes its a nice thing, in order to explore, create an easy environment, get the right guys and explore!!!
Another point, what I thought was nice. James was super experimental, trying out anything. Traditional music, free improv, modern Jazz,..... Also he was always using lots of effects in order to bring out different colours of his playing (bowing, slapping, finger, soft, muted,....). I have never seen upright-bass-players who were doing that in this extent. Also he was doing a lots of looping while soloing. He is using a “Boomerang”-Loopstation which are produced in Texas. One function he was making use of a lot and which I am missing with other loopers, as that you could fade in and out Loops (he would have a finger-Solo and then transitioning into a Bowing-part...). James has so much humor, he would loop some soundscape and also play trumpet on top. Awesome!!!!
After all he was a big inspiration for me picking up the sousaphone just like that, or using vocals or other instruments in your perfomance, and so much more........!!!
Thanks James!!!!!
