This year everyone’s been celebrating the Centenary of Duke Ellington’s birth. How much more enjoyable it is though, to celebrate a birthday when someone’s still with us, especially when that someone played in Duke’s orchestra. That’s the case this month when sax legend Hal Singer turns 80.
Born in Oklahoma in 1919, Singer began his musical career in New York just when Bebop was being born, and soon found himself playing on 52nd Street. Singer’s career took off and he went on to play with countless giants including Hot Lips Page and Dizzy Gillespie, and to win that coveted berth in the Ellington Orchestra.
Singer moved to France almost four decades ago. At the time he felt he needed a change. The scene in Paris was cooking, the money was good, and it offered him respite from the constant racism back in the US. “I liked America. But America didn’t like me!” Hal eventually made his home in Nanterre, just outside Paris and on October 8, the city will be honoring its most famous citizen with a birthday concert. Singer will be performing with his quartet, featuring Alain Jean Marie on piano, in a duo with pianist Michel Graillier, and with members of the Nanterre orchestra. And the party continues October 11-12 when he’ll be with his quartet at the Cave du Franc Pinot.
Maison de la Musique de Nanterre, 9pm, 8, rue de l’Ancienne Mairie, RER Nanterre Ville, tel: 01.41.37.94.26, free.
Cave du Franc Pinot, 8:30pm, 1, quai de Bourbon, 4e, Mº Pont Marie, tel: 01.46.33.60.64, 100F including first drink, a “Mairie de Paris two for the price of one” concert.
