Ramona Collins: News

So sorry to hear that one of my favorite venues has closed. Jake, you and the staff were a class act. Hope you rebound.

What can I say? It was fabulous! We drove, stayed at a hotel in Woodbridge Virginia (never got caught in traffic backups), met great people, rode the train, appeared in audience shots on MSNBC Monday night before the big event, walked for miles, visited all the landmarks. Look forward to his next inauguration (smile).

Congratulations to Detroit vocalist Robert McArther on the release of his new CD "That's Me". It's a great CD with songs you don't hear much as well as two original tunes by Detroit songwriters. Check it out at cdbaby.com. I guarantee you'll love it.

My children gave me a birthday at Murphy's last night. It was great!! I saw many old friends, and enjoyed my brothers, sisters, uncle, cousins, and a brother whom I had never met. He's almost 50. We partied in the back room at Murphy's, which is perfect for a party. Even though I was the birthday girl, I was working, and had a little help from my friends. Two of my sons sang, Chris H sang "Them there Eyes", Jamal proposed to Alicia, my uncle helped me sing "You Send Me", I sand "Happy Birthday" to him because his birthday is the same day as mine, excepet he is 73 now. The place was packed and most people stayed until the end.
Oh, what a night!

Rusty was laid to rest in Marion, Ohio Wednesday, October 15, 2008. There was no funeral service, just a private burial for the family. The family requested that no flowers or cards be sent, but some of the girls - Suzanne, Carol and Joyce - went down Thursday and put beautiful flowers on Rusty's final resting place. We will, of course, have a memorial to our wonderful friend who showed so much love and respect to local musicians. She was a class act who truly understood how important her customers were when they passed through the doors of Rusty's Jazz Cafe. To those of us who performed there, it was home.

Details regarding a memorial for my mentor and friend will be forthcoming.

Margaret "Rusty" Monroe,
Former Owner, Rusty's Jazz Cafe, (11-22-18 to 10-11-08)

Maryann Russo, Vocalist
(9-22-08)

Dick Garris
(5/25/08)

Jimmy Cook, Trumpeter
(5/9/08)

Tony Ben, Percussionist(1/08)

Donald Walden, Saxophonist, Educator & Michigan Jazz Master (4/08)

Leon Cook, Guitarist/Vocalist

Bruce Zimmerman, Marimba

Hershey Cohen, Trumpeter
(9-6-03)

It was great to see Jan Cook and other members of the family at Murphy's last night. Jan and Suzanne, Jimmy's daughter, were wearing these wonderful black t-shirts with a photo of Jimmy holding his trumpet. You'll love it!
If you want to own one of these, call Jan at 419 531-3815. The cost is $25 each, with proceeds supporting the Jimmy Cook Scholarship Fund. Be a true JazzKeeper and support the efforts of the Cook family to assist young people pursuing careers in music with this wonderful tribute to Jimmy.

The picnic was nice although the guest of honor was not able to attend. I spoke to her on Monday of this week, and she sounded wonderful. Her voice was strong, and she said she felt better than she had in a long time.
We had a good conversation reflecting on times gone by but talked about the future for jazz in Toledo. I assured her that we, the JazzKeepers, will do what we can to remain a cohesive and productive community.

The benefit for Maryann Russo at the Rouge Bistro
on Sunday, June 29, 2008 was an unqualified success!
There was standing room only, and all the jazz community came out to support this event. It was great to see folks we don't see much of these days: pianists John Mast, Jim Bishop, Fred Kopp and Preston Keys, native Toledoan (now New Yorker) Lucas Madrazo, who was among the many young people who showed they definitely have the skills to carry the banner. Special kudos to pianist/musician extraordinnaire Glen Tucker and bassist Jordan Shug from Ann Arbor. They pretty much held down the bandstand all night long with drummer Bob Rex. Singer Zoe Young and the young ladies from the Toledo School for the Arts showed up and showed out!
Thanks to singers Nancy Hattner, Jean Holden, Kim Buehler, Vickie Brooks, Kelly Broadway, Lori LeFevre-Johnson, DamenCook and LIsa Young. The piano got a workout from jazz vets Lisa Holden and Jim Gottron.
Drummers Andre Wright Damen Cook swung like crazy and Sixth Edition (Kevin Eikum, John Johnson, Kim Buehler, Lisa Young and Lori LeFevre-Johnson) started the evening off with their beautiful and creative harmonies. If I have left out anyone out, it's because I have memory issues. Thank you all for making this such a wonderful event. Maryann said she was overwhelmed and honored. The mayor sent a proclamation from the City of Toledo, which was a very nice touch, and Maryann and her family we very happy that Maryann's career has received this kind of recognition.

We raised over $4,000 to establish the music scholarship in Maryann's name at The Toledo School for the Arts. More about that later.

Sunday, July 20, 2008 is the date for the 4th annual Rusty's Jazz Reunion Picnic at Toledo Botanical Garden in Toledo, Ohio. The event will run from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. If you are planning to attend, there will be no community table this year, but you can bring your picnic basket and share with others at the picnic. Please remember that no alcoholic beverages are allowed. We are expecting to have many musical guests, but there is a tentative schedule that includes Rusty's Big Band, Mie Whitty, Kelly Broadway, Eric Brazier, Tommy Gearheart, Sixth Edition, Box Rex Trio,
Andre Wright, Gene Parker, Damen Cook, and yours truly. Others who have personally told me they will stop by are pianist/vocalist Johnny O'Neal and former Toledoan bassist extraordinnaire Ray Parker.
Drummers Bob Rex and Andre Wright are heading up the music committee
this year. I love it!! I'll actually get a chance to sit back and relax and enjoy the picnic. Thanks to the other committee members - Carol Licata, Suzanne Carroll (Witherell), Michelle Ellis, Vicky Brooks, Mike Whitty, Joyce Banoura, and, of course, Margaret "Rusty" Monroe. See you there.

My performances from Channel 24's "Glass City Jazz Show" are now on YouTube.com. If you go to that site, just do a search for "Ramona Collins" , and three separate videos should appear. Others who have been featured on the show include pianist Claude Black and singer Nate Gurley.

It's been a minute since my last album, "Live & Lovin' It, so I'm working on new music. Will keep you posted with updates.