Album Notes

Jonathan Singleton, born in Philadelphia, PA., began his musical career at the age of 6 when a student teacher offered him clarinet lessons, thus instilling in him a deep passion for music.

He continued playing clarinet through high school and college, studying with Karl Krelove, Lennart Olsen, and Andre Lizotte. While a student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston he began playing piano, studying with Dean Earl and Lazlo Gardony. He graduated from Berklee in 1987 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Production and Engineering. After graduating he continued his piano studies with Frank Wilkins.

He is currently musical director for Orpheus/EMI recording artist Andre Ward, and also musical director for City Stage Co., a non-profit children's theater company that provides opportunities for urban children and families to participate in the performing arts in the neighborhoods where they live and work. Through City Stage "Mr. Singleton" teaches music at the Rogers School in Hyde Park, Ma. In addition, he is a member of the music staff of the historic Twelfth Baptist Church of Roxbury, where he directs several choral groups including the Youth Choir and the Gospel Ensemble.

His arrangements for gospel choir and orchestra have been performed by the Quincy, Melrose and Cape Ann Symphonies.

As a keyboard player he has worked with several artists including Walter Beasley, Valerie Simpson (Ashford & Simpson), Gabrielle Goodman, Ollie Woodson (The Temptations) and guitarist Chuck Loeb.


As a choral director he has directed several choirs and choruses including the Kuumba Singers of Harvard, the Boston College Voices of Imani and the Berea S.D.A. Inspirational Choir. Currently he directs Northeastern University's J.D.O.A.A.I. Unity Gospel Ensemble and the Bunker Hill Community College gospel choir. Through these choral groups he has sought to preserve and present the rich variety of African-American cultural/musical expression.