Charlton Singleton: Swing, Soul, & Storytelling

“He turns a non-jazz person into an enthusiast in a single concert… Charlton Singleton is a musical alchemist, a magician.” -Charleston Magazine

A native of Awendaw, SC, Charlton Singleton began his musical studies at the age of three on the piano. By the time he finished high school, he had added organ, violin, cello, and trumpet. In 1994, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from South Carolina State University.

Since that time, he has taught music at elementary, middle, and high school, and at the College of Charleston. In 2008, he co-founded the Charleston Jazz Orchestra. Mr. Singleton is also the organist and choir director at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Charleston, SC. In November of 2016, he was named the inaugural Artist in Residence at the recently renovated Gaillard Center in downtown Charleston and continues to lead the Summer Youth Jazz Orchestra Camp.

As a performer, Charlton leads his own ensembles that vary in size and style. He has performed in France, Great Britain, Scotland, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, the Netherlands, as well as many great cities throughout the United States.

He is a founding member of Ranky Tanky, a quintet that interprets the sounds of Gullah from the Southeast Coast of the United States. In 2017, Ranky Tanky reached the top of the Billboard, iTunes, and Amazon Contemporary Jazz charts with their self-titled debut recording. They then won the 2019 Grammy Award for “Best Regional Roots Album” with their following effort, “Good Time.” In 2022, the band’s live recorded set at the prestigious New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival won their second Grammy Award.

In 2021, he was the recipient of the SC Governor’s Award, which honors arts organizations, patrons, artists, members of the business community, and government entities who maximize their roles as innovators, supporters, and advocates for the arts. It is the highest honor for the arts in the state of South Carolina.

In addition to performing, he is in demand as a speaker, clinician, composer, and arranger. He has shared the stage with and/or worked with some of the most talented entertainers in the world, including Lisa Fischer, Bobby McFerrin, Ruby Dee, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Darius Rucker, Fred Wesley, and Cyrus Chestnut, to name a few.

Outside of music and entertainment, he and his wife, MaryJo, are the proud parents of Shalamar and D’Marcus and new grandparents to Sophia Rose. They are also parents to their five pets: Jango, MoJo, Dakota, Pumpkin, and Ginger.

On Sunday, April 13th, Charlton combines his deep knowledge and captivating performance to present a night celebrating the legendary trumpeters who shaped the sound of Jazz. From the groundbreaking genius of Louis Armstrong to the cool sophistication of Miles Davis, the fiery energy of Roy Hargrove, and many more in between, this evening of swing, soul, and storytelling pays tribute to the masters who paved the way for generations of musicians. 

More about Charlton Singleton at his website…