Marcus Singletary

Marcus Singletary
Born	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	Rock, progressive rock, jazz, jazz fusion
Occupation(s)	Musician, producer, songwriter, singer
Instruments	Bass guitar, guitar, electric guitar, drums, piano
Years active	2000–present
Website	www.marcussingletary.com

Marcus Singletary is an American musician, writer, and media personality.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois.^[1]

Early Life

Singletary attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South High School, which was closed by the Archdiocese of Chicago during Singletary's Freshman year, Brother Rice High School on Chicago's South Side and, ultimately, Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary.^[2][3]

Singletary earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Northwestern University and, while at Musician's Institute, he studied jazz under Finnish fusion guitarist Antti Kotikoski.^[2][4]

Background

Marcus Singletary has been featured on television networks including FOX^[5][6] and CNN,^[7] and Conexión Abierta's radio program De Rock y Freud (Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Argentina).^[8][9][10]

From 2007-2009, he served as an editor for and contributor to jazz.com.^[11] In 2009, he joined the staff of Examiner.com, writing primarily as 'Los Angeles Music Examiner.' From April, 2012 to February, 2015, he also contributed several articles on the George Zimmerman case to the site.

For a variety of print and online publications, he has interviewed several notable media figures, including Florida State Representative Dennis Baxley (sponsor of the controversial Stand Your Ground bill that faced public scrutiny during the Zimmerman trial),^[12] Carl Giammarese, co-founder of 1960s hitmakers The Buckinghams,^[13] Bruce Arnold (leader of the pioneering soft-rock group Orpheus),^[14] and Chicago's 'Queens of the Blues,' Koko Taylor and Shemekia Copeland.^[15][16]

Albums, Compilations, & Box Set

First formed by Singletary as a teenager in high school, rock band Jupiter's Child recorded several albums and was compared to jambands including Widespread Panic by critics.^[17] The group performed Singletary's composition 'Can't Ask For More' on the cable TV program Chic-a-Go-Go in 2003.^[18]A two-disc, twenty track retrospective, Legacy, represented all eras of the band's history and was released in 2014.^[19]

In 2004, Singletary released The Marcus Singletary Band and Capitol Hill (reissued in 2012 as Capitol Hill Reloaded).^[20] He said, "I settled into a low-fidelity groove by buying some elemental computer equipment and striking some familiar blues chords like anyone just beginning to produce records…'Delta,' a Junior Wells-style harmonica-and-drum duet, and 'Shame' utilize classic blues structures in a rock-and-roll environment. 'Best in Me' is inspired by the A-side of Led Zeppelin III, and sonic experiments follow in the forms of country-blues instrumental 'Saddleback' [and] the dark narrative 'Come and Get It.'"^[21]

An initial compilation album, Rocks (2006), documented highlights from these early recordings - in effect 'a sampling of Singletary's recorded blues resume.'^[22]

Marcus Singletary was recorded at Clear Lake Audio in North Hollywood, California, mixed by Don Casale (engineer for Iron Butterfly, Vanilla Fudge, Aretha Franklin, and others), and released in 2008.^[23] In music reviewer Michael Popke's opinion, 'Cynics among us may regard Singletary's latest material - his other albums were defined by lengthy blues solos - as a step backwards into pop territory, [but] the rest will simply enjoy these...catchy, happy-sounding tunes that may brighten an otherwise cloudy day.'^[24][25]

Sea of Tranquility noted of the concert disc Take Me Out to the Ball Game (2008), '[Ball Game] veers off into improvised uncharted territory ala The Star-Spangled Banner,' and David C. Eldredge of Illinois Entertainer said the CD, 'finds [Singletary] riffing and then off into the freeform chording stratosphere pursuing the disc's eponymous opening chestnut and similar nods to baseball themes and icons.'^[26][27]

Smokin' (2011) materialized during concerts at venues including Los Angeles' House of Blues, Henry Fonda Theater, and Viper Room.^[28] On it, Singletary was backed by bassist Cliff Starbuck of Ekoostik Hookah and former Doobie Brothers drummer Chet McCracken.^[29] UK-based rock critic Simon Smith wrote, 'Marcus Singletary has crafted a great album that has a distinctive sound, a heart and soul to smile for with a beat to boogie to...It's unashamedly upbeat and embracing while it rings every drop of sweat from your panting face as you try to keep up. Great fun.'^[30]

Of Smokin', writer Kelley Simms of Illinois Entertainer added, 'Drawing upon classic rock, blues, jazz, funk, and psychedelic influences, Marcus Singletary delivers some broad and competent music on Smokin’. Singletary handles all vocals, guitars, keyboards, and theremin, while bassist Cliff Starbuck and ex-Doobie Brothers drummer Chet McCracken are featured, along with a versatile horn section. Together they lay down some funky grooves and...a solid foundation.'^[31] One track, 'Get the Dance Gene,' was featured on the August 9, 2013 episode of cable television program Chic-a-Go-Go.^[32]

Containing cover songs originally performed by artists including Jim Croce, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elvis Presley, and the "Father of Country Music," Jimmie Rodgers,^[33] Marcus Singletary Sings Country Music Standards was released February 7, 2013.^[34] PopMatters' Neil Kelly drew links between the album and the George Zimmerman trial while comparing Singletary's public persona to the acknowledged eccentricities of Lindsay Lohan, Prince, and Ted Nugent,^[35] while others - such as journalist Dan Berthiaume - enjoyed its content: 'Singletary is a deft guitarist and also has a strong voice. His clear vocals bring to life just how violent and menacing many roots and roots-influenced songs really are...Fans of traditional and acoustic music may be interested in checking out these new interpretations, still performed organically and from the soul, as they were intended.'^[36]

An extensive remastering project undertaken alongside engineer Anthony Casuccio yielded the 4-disc, forty track box set, The Wonderful World of Marcus Singletary in November, 2014. It chronologically anthologized Singletary's music career, to that point, and officially replaced four previous best-of collections and the concert disc Live on Sunset - a 2006 performance at LA's Whisky a Go-Go featured on the box set in its entirety. Journalist Jim Pasinski wrote of the material, 'This album begins with some very early recordings done on cassettes that do show some potential in Marcus' songwriting ability at a young age. Later, you get to hear the fullness of his talents in 'Chicago Stomp' and, even though this release includes some cover songs, it's his original compositions that we find the best of Marcus Singletary. One of the highlights has to be the acoustic-shuffle of 'You Could Be Lucky', while he concentrates more on the lyrics of 'Shame' and shows off his funky side with 'Get the Dance Gene.' The heaviness of 'Can It Be Real' showcases his vocal skills, and some of his best guitar solos are collected on one album. 'Boys of Summer' is a 'balls to the wall' blazing instrumental, but you can really hear his talents on all the genres he covers. Live, he begins with the up-tempo sixties rocker 'Best In Me,' before taking over the keyboard on the retro sounding jam of 'The Music's Playin" and sexual tension of 'Can't Ask for More' before closing by channeling his idol Jerry Garcia on 'Good Lovin' and finishing with the blues romp of 'Sweet Home Chicago."^{[37][38][39][40][41][42][43]}

Philanthropy

Marcus Singletary has donated to a number of causes and charities, including the Autism Science Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation, the 10th Anniversary Grammy® Camp Scholarship Fund, and the Warrior Cry Music Project of San Antonio, Texas.^[44]

Saddam Hussein, the First Amendment, & Richard Nixon

In a May 20, 1991 Chicago Sun-Times editorial, Singletary voiced admiration and support for Richard M. Nixon after the former president, during a 60 Minutes interview, called for the CIA-backed elimination of Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War, stating, 'I believe in supporting our American statesmen…Mr. Nixon has the right to say whatever he wants and is backed by the First Amendment. Maybe his postwar statement is the only answer to solving the problems in the Middle East.'^[45]

Discography

Most albums are on the Aviation label, unless otherwise indicated.

• 2004 The Marcus Singletary Band
• 2004 Capitol Hill
• 2005 Live at the Foxx
• 2006 Rocks
• 2008 Marcus Singletary
• 2008 Take Me Out to the Ball Game
• 2011 Smokin'
• 2012 Capitol Hill Reloaded
• 2013 Live on Sunset
• 2013 Sings Country Music Standards, Riverbound Records
• 2014 The Wonderful World of Marcus Singletary (Box Set), Riverbound Records
• 2015 Defiance Science

References