Ramona Collins: News

Thanks to all who attended the show Friday 12-2-11 at PJs.  The band and I had a ball, and the audience contributed so much by being attentive and respectful.  We played good music, laughed and enjoyed JAZZ.

Thank you all.  Hope to see you again soon.

For those of you who attended the recording session on March 21, 2009, I apologize for the delay but promise that it will be done soon.  Each of you will receive your complimentary copy of the CD as soon as they are pressed.

I was notified last week that I am one of four nominees in the Detroit Black Music Awards jazz vocalist category.  This was quite a surprise, and I am extremely flattered.  The awards ceremony will be held Sunday, August 7, 2011 at Bert's Market Place in the Eastern Market in Detroit.  Doors open to th public at 6:30 p.m.  and the show begins at 7:00 p.m.  VIP tickets are $40 and general admission tickets are $20.

More info later.

For those of you who attended the recording session, you will still receive your preview copy of the cd.  I am going back into the studio to finish editing sometime within the next couple of weeks.  Thanks for your patience!

Harbor House

440 Clinton St

Detroit, MI (downtown)

313 967-9900

 

On Friday, September 3rd, after the first day of the Detroit Jazz Fest, be sure to stop by the Harbor House in Greektown for great food and drinks, and a very special performance with Ramona Collins and the Jesse Kramer Trio!

10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. $5 cover, limited seating, for reservations call (313) 967-9900

Ramona Collins-Vocals

Glenn Tucker – Piano

Jordan Schug – Bass

Jesse Cramer - Drums

Press Release

Area jazz artists gather for photo shoot

“Countless jazz performers continuously dedicate their souls in an effort to keep vintage jazz alive.  They are the true heroes who consistently reinforce the importance of jazz as they perform within communities throughout this nation.  Their appreciation and commitment have enabled us to keep vintage jazz a part of American culture and a mainstay in today’s contemporary music environment.”  They are the Jazzkeepers, asdefined by Cleveland jazz promoter Greg L. Reese in his book “JazzKeepers, A Pictorial Tribute & Memoir”  

Toledo’s JazzKeepers will gather on the steps of the Toledo Museum of Art Sunday, August 29, 2010 @ 2:00 p.m.  Joining them will be some of their peers from the area’s jazz corridor  – Bowling Green, Ann Arbor, Toledo, Detroit and Cleveland.  Those who are known by other JazzKeepers to fit the description given above are invited to join us for this history-making event.

There will be a master photo taken of everyone, then small group shots of singers, bassists, pianists/keyboardists, horn players, drummers, etc. Artists may bring their instruments to use as a prop or to play later at the after-set @ Pam's Corner, 116-10th Street.   Award-winning photographer Grover Cummings is the official photograher for this will conduct the shoot.

Immediately following the photo shoot, participants will stop by Pam’s Corner at 116-10^th St. in downtown Toledo to network and maybe even play a tune or two.  It will be a great reunion!

CONTACT:

Ramona Collins, Organizer & Chair

JazzKeepers Photo Shoot

songstylist@aol.com

 

Kim Buehler, Committee Co-Chair

Keith Bernard, Committee Co-Chair  

Brenda Riggins, Committee Co-Chair 

For more information, please call 419 297-9856, 419 536-7172 or 419 283-8226

 

We will again be gathering on the steps of the Toledo Museum of Art to document who makes up the current performing jazz community in Toledo.  We are especially focusing on those who are "Jazzkeepers" - those who struggle to keep vintage jazz alive.  Even though they may play other types of music, they are known in the local jazz inner circle to respect jazz and not consider it "old" music.  Jazz is important because it's part of America's musical history and cannot be forgotten.

Sunday - August 29, 2010   2:00 p.m.

More details later.

On Sunday June 27, 2010 I will be acting (not singing) in a play called "Church Folks", written by Toledoan Dorothy McFarland. The event is being held at the Franciscan Center and curtain is at 6:00.  For info about tickets you can call 419 297-9856 or call the Franciscan Center box office.

Johnny and I recorded a cd in front of a few fans and friends on Sunday 3-21-10 at Audio Matrix Studios.  Everything went very well.  I regret I couldn't open the session up to everyone like I normally do when I have an even, but, there were space limitations that would not allow it.  We're now ready to mix and master.  This cd is something different for both Johnny and me because there is no rhythm section - just piano and vocals. 

Photographer Grover Cummings took great photos for the cd cover and insert.  I love them!!

Will keep you posted as to what's going on with the project.  Stay tuned.

 

We have talked about recording together for years, but never got around to it.  Now Johnny O'Neal is relocating to the east coast - New York - but before he goes we want to capture some musicial memories on disc.  We will be recording Sunday March 21, 2010 @ 4:00 p.m. @ Audio Matrix Studio, 151 N Michigan, Ste #333. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m.  Due to space limitations only 45 people can be accommodated.  There will be finger foods provided by Pam's Corner, and you are invited to bring your own beverage.  Please RSVP to 419 244-5601 to reserve your space. 

Tickets to this very special and unique event are $20, but credit cards cannot be processed. 

The building has a free parking lot on the corner of Michigan & Monroe.

John O'Neal and I are planning to record this spring.  Will keep you posted.

Attended my first meeting with some of Toledo's most prominent artists.  It's great to see these folks so excited about their upcoming projects and to enjoy the fellowship after the meeting.  They are still in the organizing stage, but seem to know where they want to go.  I plan to attend more gallery events because there is so much talent in Toledo in the visual and performing arts.  More info about this group later.  Go Omni Artists!

Giorgio's - Celebrity Wait Night Thursday March 4, 2010 for the benefit of the YWCA which supports programs for young women in the community.  I'll be waiting for you.  6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  Tickets are $40.  More information later when I receive it.

• Still would like to have a little jazz club someday - perhaps when the economy improves.
• Planning to record a cd with Johnny O'neal this year.  Stay tuned.
• I miss Rusty a lot.

I will be kicking off the holiday season at Murphy's Place Saturday, December 5th, 2009 from 9:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.  Bring a wrapped child's toy and get a stamped card for free admission on your next visit to Murphy's.  Help us make a Merry Christmas for some of the children in our community by supporting Murphy's "Toys For Jazzx @ Christmas.  Thank you for your generosity and support of this event.

I worked at the club for the first time last night (Friday) w/Glenn Tucker (p), Jordan Schug (b), and Jerry Powell (d).  The room was packed, and we had a great time interacting with the customers.  the guys were on point, and made me sound great!  Looking forward to returning tonight.  Many thanks to a professional club staff who took care of business and served their customers promptly and with class.  I'm sure their clientele appreciated that.

I was asked to sing the national anthem October 16, 2009 to kick off the Walleye festivies weekend.  This was great, and I remembered the words (smile).  I stood on the red carpet on the ice and sang to a packed arena who relay seemed to enjoy my a capella rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner", which was pretty traditional.  I kept it simple. 

Last night the the Art Tatum Resource Center Advisory Boar, the Tatum Society, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library hosted a 100th celebration for the jazz legend.  It was great!  We had a very good turnout, and people seemed to enjoy the various events that took place throughout the evening.  We had a diamond raffle, contest to guess how many kisses were in the glass, Our special guest was pianist/vocalist/actor Johnny O'Neal who performed solo and then with his trio.  Johnny showed everyone why Oscar Peterson recommend him for the role of Art Tatum in the movie "Ray".  He was wonderful!  I was thrilled to be asked by him to sing "For All We Know", which received a very positive reception from the audience.  Charles McDaniel, Jim Gottron and John Cleveland provided great piano music a guests were arriving and for the VIP reception prior to the show.  After Johnny O'Neal's performance, Keith Bernhard and his More Jazz Messengers played for everyone's listening enjoyment.  Special thanks to our committee, Dorcel, Joan, P, Melissa, Faith, Andre, Johnnie - to the library staff and volunteers, and especially Mr. Scoles. 

10-10-09 Toledo Lucas County Public Library 7 pm - 11 pm.  Special guest Johnny O'neal. 

10-11-09 Owens Community College, Stanley Cowell sponsored by African American Legacy Project.  Also early morning program at Grace Presbyterian Church

10-25-09 TMA Peristyle - McCoy Tyner, Benny Gholston, Jon Hendricks and Toledo Jazz Orchestra

The grand opening weekend of the new Lucas County Area October 3 & 4 2009 featured four or five bands - my group, C. J. Manning & Company, East River Drive and a couple others.  However, I was the first to sing at the new arena.  We had a sound check because we were first, but the sound was good throughout the day for the other bands.  We only had one glitch when my mic went out, but I moved over to the next mic w/no problem.  Photos taken of us are wonderful and will be posted here on my site and on my Facebook page.  My band was Mike Lorenz on piano, Jerry Powell on drums and Jesse Coleman on sax.  It was a great event, and we were honored to be a part of it.

Be sure to check out this concert on Sunday, September 27 @ 3 p.m. at the CAC. Artists appearing are singers Theresa Harris, Laurie Swyer & Mary Dick (Blue Moon), poet Ophelia Thompson, saxophonist Katrina Barnhill and many others. Proceeds benefit education program for women in the WBW program. Thanks CAC for hosting another great event for a deserving organization!

The abstract keyboard memorial to Art Tatum was installed today at the Lucas County Arena It's lighted, so be sure to check it out at night.

So sorry that the Firefly Club is closed. We hope this is only a temporary setback and Susan Chastain and the cats will soon be back hard at play. Good luck!

Read in the free press last week that John Colbert, co-owner of Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit is having trouble. He says he only has enough money to keep going for a couple of months. It would be a shame to lose Baker's which has been in existence since 1934. John hopes someone will purchase the club and keep this historic jazz venue. I was booked to work with Allan Barnes at Baker's on April 18th, but the date was moved. I already have a gig on the new date, so I can't be there. Let's all pray that Baker's survives because it needs to. We can't lose any more jazz venues, especially this one.