W.E. Singleton photo courtesy of VCU School of the Arts

VCU recently announced a $2 million commitment from W.E. Singleton to benefit the Jazz Studies Program in the School of the Arts. His gift is the largest ever made in the United States to support university-level jazz education.

"This is a spectacular gift," said Victor Goines, VCU jazz alumnus and director of jazz studies for the Juilliard School. "VCU's Jazz Studies Program is already one of the best, and it's no surprise that it has attracted the generosity of a patron of this caliber."

In appreciation for Singleton's gift, VCU will rename its Performing Arts Center the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. The multi-purpose facility presents a range of events including music, theatre and presentations by noted guests. The center opened in 1981 with a performance by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. It has been the site of performances by such preeminent and diverse musicians as Yehudi Menhuin and Buddy Rich and has hosted notable events ranging from gubernatorial debates to national symposia.

"I am so pleased that W.E. Singleton has chosen to invest in this magnificent way in one of the nation's great schools of the arts and design," said School of the Arts Dean Richard Toscan. "Mr. Singleton's focus on jazz performance confirms the stellar reputation and high quality of the VCU Jazz Studies Program and will continually strengthen the education of our students and performances for our community. We will be proud to have his name on the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts."

Singleton is managing general partner of Crenshaw-Singleton Properties, a Richmond real estate investment firm whose portfolio includes The Ironfronts, the J.C. Penney Building, the Verizon Building and the Bon Air Shopping Center. He has been an enthusiastic jazz fan for more than 50 years and has been a personal friend of such jazz legends as Louis Armstrong, Zutty Singleton, Maxine Sullivan, Gene Krupa, Wild Bill Davison and Count Basie.

Singleton's major philanthropic efforts began in 1995 when he partially funded the W.E. Singleton VoTech Center at Elk Hill Farm in Goochland County. In 1999, he contributed the Library at The Gables at Blackstone College in memory of his mother and aunt, both of whom were graduates. Last year he conceived and partially funded the Singleton Chapel, presently under construction on the Elk Hill campus.

"I think I've done about as much as I can do for Elk Hill," Singleton said. "So I decided to turn to my first love, other than family, friends and business, and that's jazz. My involvement with jazz has enabled me to take a special interest in VCU's Jazz Studies Program."

Singleton's $2 million commitment to VCU includes an initial outright gift, and then additional monies during his lifetime and from his estate.

In addition to Goines, alumni of VCU's Jazz Studies Program include musicians Steve Wilson (saxophone, Chick Corea's Origin), James Genus (bass, Saturday Night Live Band), Al Waters (saxophone, featured with Ray Charles) and Alvin Walker, (trombone, Count Basie Orchestra).

VCU's student jazz orchestras have been recognized for winning top honors in five appearances at the Notre Dame Intercollegiate Jazz Festival, appearing at the Smithsonian Institution and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festivals and providing four acclaimed recordings, with a fifth scheduled for release in 2002.

Directed for many years by Douglas Richards, VCU's Jazz Studies Program in 2001 came under the direction of Tony García, noted educator, trombonist and former coordinator of jazz combos for Northwestern University.

"I know how VCU's Department of Music can inspire action from the people who encounter the talents of its students and faculty," said García. "It inspired me to move to Richmond and join the tradition of excellence within VCU's Jazz Studies Program. So I appreciate how Mr. Singleton feels."

"I am very impressed with Tony García," said Singleton. "He's a real professional, an enthusiastic educator and a gentleman. Plus, Tony can speak my jazz language, and he knows of my favorite musicians alive today. Tony's presence at VCU helps confirm my great pride in making a commitment that is intended to have a long-lasting impact on the education of jazz students and the presentation of jazz."