14 Facts About Hal Singer

Harold Joseph Singer was born in Greenwood, an African-American district of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to father Charles and mother Anna Mae.

Hal Singer's father was employed by an oil-drilling tools manufacturer and his mother was a caterer.

Hal Singer was a survivor of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, during which his family's home was burnt down.

The official records of Hal Singer's birth were destroyed during the violence.

Hal Singer studied violin as a child but later switched to reed instruments.

Hal Singer ultimately settled on the tenor saxophone influenced by hearing Ben Webster and Lester Young.

Hal Singer's follow-up the following year, "Beef Stew", was a much smaller hit.

In 1965, after touring Europe with Earl Hines' group, Hal Singer remained in France, settling near Paris.

Hal Singer continued to record and toured extensively around Europe and Africa, performing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Charlie Watts.

Hal Singer appears on the 1981 live recording Rocket 88 with the UK-based boogie-woogie band Rocket 88.

Also in the summer of 1981, Hal Singer visited London, where he recorded two albums for John Stedman's record label, JSP.

Hal Singer shared artist billing on a recording made in 1989, along with Al Copley, Royal Blue, released on the Black Top label in 1990.

Hal Singer appeared as an actor in the feature film Taxi Blues.

Hal Singer was awarded the prestigious title of "Chevalier des Arts" by the French government.