Judi Singh
Judi Singh | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1945 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | July 18, 2021 (aged 76) |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, musician |
Judi Singh (May 9, 1945 – July 18, 2021), sometimes spelled Judy Singh, was a Canadian jazz musician of South Asian and Black heritage.[1]
Early life and family
Judi was one of seven children born to Sohan Singh Bhullar and Effie Jones.[1] Her father was a Punjabi Sikh, and one of the first Indo-Canadians in Alberta, moving to Canada from India in 1907. A park in Edmonton's Mill Woods neighbourhood is named in his honour.[2] Her mother's family were among the earliest Black families to settle in Alberta, helping to found the historic settlement of Amber Valley.[3] South Asian and Black marriages were not uncommon at the time as both groups faced marginalization. Both communities worshipped and socialized together at Edmonton's sole black church, Shiloh Baptist Church.[3]
Singh grew up listening to gospel, blues, jazz, and Indian music in her family home near the University of Alberta campus.[3] Her father played the bansuri, a traditional Indian bamboo flute.[3]
Singing career and later life
Judi Singh began singing at Edmonton's famed Yardbird Suite at the age of 17.[4] She played to sold-out crowds at the venue throughout the 1950s and 1960s.[3]
In the mid-1960s, she moved to Winnipeg to work with the CBC.[3] In Winnipeg, she met her partner Lenny Breau, who was later inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.[5] They eventually moved to Toronto with hopes of making it big in the city's music scene. However, the relationship disintegrated as Breau was often absent and dealing with addiction issues, leaving Singh to take care of their daughter on her own.[5]
In 1970, Singh moved back to Edmonton with her daughter Emily,[5] and recorded the album A Time for Love with Tommy Banks.[3] Today, this album is considered one of the greatest Canadian vocal jazz records by collectors.[6]
She sang and composed several songs on Woody Shaw's 1978 album Rosewood which received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance (Soloist) and Best Jazz Instrumental Performance (Group). She also contributed vocals to Shaw's 1980 album, For Sure!.[7]
She spent her later years living a private life in Victoria, BC, passing on July 18, 2021.[8]
See also
References
- ^ a b Jeffrey, Andrew. "'Why did Edmonton forget Judi Singh?' Researcher uncovers story of jazz music and Alberta's roots". CBC News. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Edmonton, City of (September 25, 2023). "Pick-a-Park with City Council". Transforming Edmonton. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Judi Singh: A Black & South Asian musician from 1950s–70s Edmonton". Edmonton City as Museum Project ECAMP. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Singh, Judy". Museum of Canadian Music. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c Volmers, Eric. "Calgary filmmaker Emily Hughes explores her father's life, legacy and murder in The Genius of Lenny Breau Remembered". Calgary Herald. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Singh, Judy – A Time For Love". Museum of Canadian Music. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Woody Shaw - For Sure! Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ "Remembering the life of Judi Singh-Hughes". edmontonjournal.remembering.ca. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
Further reading
- Forbes-Roberts, Ron (2006). One Long Tune: The Life and Music of Lenny Breau. University of North Texas Press. ISBN 9781574412307.