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Collins is optimistic
about the future of jazz in Toledo, despite the closure of
our most iconic lounges of the past.
“For this to be the town
of the late, great Art Tatum we really have to do better
with jazz, and I trust we will. We had Rusty’s Jazz Café for
40 years and Murphy’s Place for about 25 years so it is time
for an exclusive place for jazz music.” Until then Collins
suggests that The Pub (at Paula Brown’s Shop) is a hidden
gem for live jazz on select dates.
Born in Toledo, Ohio,
Ramona Collins was the
oldest of nine children reared in Lansing, Michigan.
Her mother, the late Alice (Collins) Carter was a jazz
pianist and singer, encouraged her daughter to perform at an
early age to overcome her shy demeanor
“Like all the great jazz
advocates of the past, present, and future, I’m a
Jazz-Keeper,” says Collins.
“Jazz-keeper, is a term we
in the local jazz community use to describe a group of
passionate people coming together to try to keep jazz alive
in these contemporary times.”
Many of us are
jazz-keepers, whether we know it or not, by Collins’
definition. By supporting earlier forms of traditional jazz
we collectively keep the genre alive and well.
Ramona has five adult children, Brett, Brian, Brina, Brad
and Brandi, who also fit the jazz-keepers bill. Notably,
Collins’ son Brett is a librarian specialist at The Art
Tatum African American Resource Center at the Kent Branch
Library. Like their mother they all share a love and
appreciation for the genre.
Too many individuals in
the new generations have minimal knowledge of the big names
and movements in jazz history, but for those eager to expand
their jazz knowledge beyond the “smooth jazz” ruling the
airwaves, it is possible for even a novice to learn a great
deal from Collins’ musicality.
As a “jazz activist”,
Collins is very candid about the issues she perceives may
hinder our city’s progress. Collins sits on a host of
committees and boards such as the Toledo Arts Commission,
Music Uniting Sisters Everywhere (M.U.S.E.), The Black Swamp
Blues Society and the University of Toledo’s School of
Visual and Performing Arts.
“I sit on a lot of boards,
but I’m glad I do because it gives me insight into what’s
going on,” stated Collins. She believes, as individuals
foster support in up-and-coming jazz musicians, we will
naturally improve the public’s understanding of, and
participation in, local music events.
“We also must not forget
that Toledo has many older residents who have money, are
retired and have time to explore,” she suggests, “The
Heights rooftop bar at the Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel
is one of the few places where the generations blend quite
nicely.
Ramona Collins has
produced and recorded two independent albums, “Everything
Old Is New Again” (1997)
recorded at Rusty’s Jazz Café and “Live and Lovin’
It” recorded at the Toledo
Museum of Art (2004), available for download at
cdbaby.com.
Collins has the uncanny
ability to express musical lyrics while drawing the audience
into a world of unforgettable intimate singing. For the
uninitiated, a Ramona Collins’ performance gives a wonderful
glimpse of what jazz as an art form has to offer the
community. She is a true powerhouse, continually providing
significant tributes to the talented musicians of the past
who kept the rhythm going.
“I miss the variety
sometimes. I’ve been in every kind of band, jazz-bands,
funk-bands, show-bands, whatever,” recalls Collins when
asked about her upcoming venues.
With the advent of
YouTube, one can also have a great time listening to
original scores of various musicians Ramona Collins may
interpretively sing in one of her live performances. One
could easily end up buying many celebrated jazz cd’s as a
result.
Collins will be fulfilling
a host of venues this month surrounding the celebration of
her 70th birthday this 25th of
October.
On October 24 she will be
in at the St. Regis Hotel for Detroit a Go Go; a five-day
festival of Soul and Motown Music. She says, “I am honored
to be performing my iconic 1970 recording of ‘You’ve Been
Cheating’ (a now collectors’ item) for their UK and European
guests. She will be performing with Drew Schultz & the
Broken Habits.
On October 25 Collins will
be performing for her birthday celebration at the Registry
Bistro, at Jefferson and Superior, an event hosted by Black
and White Transportation as a part of the Bistro Series
under the Toledo Jazz Orchestra umbrella. She will be
accompanied by Josh Silver on piano, Mark Lemie on sax,
Brandon Benson on drums, and Jay Ronquillo on bass.
Friday October 26, see her
at the Clinton House Restaurant singing Motown and More with
Trez Gregory, in Port Clinton, OH.
Collins will continue her
birthday performance weekend, October 27,
performing her solo “Off The Tracks” show for the Heart &
Soul fundraiser supporting The Thomas Wernert Center in
parlor B on the 3rd floor of Hensville.
Holy Toledo! We would say
it sounds like the makings of a Happy Birthday - and all
that jazz! |
