Alvin Singleton is an esteemed American composer whose work is celebrated for its inventive use of silence and sound, often drawing on a wide range of influences including jazz, gospel, and contemporary classical music. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1940, Singleton's musical journey began with piano and violin lessons, and his passion for composition emerged during his studies at New York University and the Yale School of Music, where he was mentored by notable composers like Hall Overton and Mel Powell. His academic pursuits led him to the University of Pennsylvania for further study under George Rochberg and then to a two-year fellowship at the American Academy in Rome.

Singleton's unique compositional voice reflects a synthesis of American and European avant-garde traditions, deftly blending tonal and atonal elements. Following his formative years, he lived in Europe for over a decade, working as a composer and becoming deeply involved in the contemporary music scene. His return to the United States saw him settling in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as Composer-in-Residence with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Singleton's breadth of work encompasses pieces for orchestra, chamber ensembles, solo instruments, and vocal arrangements. His most recent releases, including "Singleton: Topless (for Tuba and Piano)," "Alvin Singleton: Four String Quartets," "Alvin Singleton: Sweet Chariot," "Alvin Singleton - Sing to the Sun," "Extension of a Dream," and "Somehow We Can," further cement his reputation as a masterful and thought-provoking composer who continues to contribute richly to the tapestry of contemporary classical music.

Genres

African-american Classical

Tzadik

Latest Release

Singleton: Topless (for Tuba and Piano)

Alvin Singleton

Single - Released June 2, 2023