According to his Jazz Profiles biography, his unusual nickname, acquired in infancy, is the Creole word for "cute".

After returning to New Orleans he worked with Papa Celestin, Big Eye Louis Nelson, John Robichaux, and Fate Marable.

He left for St. Louis, Missouri, to play in Charlie Creath's band, then moved to Chicago, Illinois.

[5]: 99 In 1943, Singleton moved to Los Angeles, California, where he led his own band, played for motion pictures, and appeared on the radio program The Orson Welles Almanac (1944).

He also worked with Slim Gaillard, Wingy Manone,[5]: 937  Eddie Condon, Nappy Lamare, Art Hodes, Oran "Hot Lips" Page, and Max Kaminsky.