Cal Collins


Cal Collins was an American jazz guitarist.
Born in Medora, Indiana, United States, Collins first played the mandolin professionally as a bluegrass musician in the early 1950s. After service in the Army, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and switched to jazz guitar after hearing swing guitarists Charlie Christian, Irving Ashby, and Oscar Moore. He played in Cincinnati for twenty years.
His first recording was on the Airtown label, a 45RPM, #JB2006 that was released in 1968. One side features a Jazzed version of Duane Eddy's "40 Miles of Bad Road",
the other side of the recording features a version of the Santo & Johnny hit, "Sleepwalk" combined into a medley with "Peg of My Heart".
Benny Goodman hired him in 1976 at the age of 43. He spent three years with the Goodman orchestra and then three years making albums for Concord Jazz. As a leader and sideman, he worked with Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Rosemary Clooney, Ross Tompkins, Woody Herman, John Bunch, and Marshal Royal.
In the early 1980s, Collins returned to Cincinnati and slowed down his career. He joined the Masters of the Steel String Guitar Tour in 1993 with Jerry Douglas and Doc Watson and recorded his last album in 1998. In 2001, he died of liver failure.

Discography

As leader

Cal Collins in San Francisco Ohio Boss Guitar with John Bunch, Carmen Leggio Cincinnati to L.A. Blues on My Mind By Myself Interplay with Herb Ellis Cross Country Tour de Force with Scott Hamilton, Jake Hanna, Dave McKenna Milestones Crack'd Rib Just Friends with Frank Vincent
  • ''Ohio Style''

As sideman

With John BunchSlick Funk Jubilee
With Rosemary ClooneyHere's to My Lady Rosemary Clooney Sings the Lyrics of Ira Gershwin With Love Rosemary Clooney Sings the Music of Cole Porter
With Concord Jazz All StarsConcord Jazz All Stars at the Northsea Jazz Festival Volume 1 Concord Jazz All Stars at the Northsea Jazz Festival Volume 2 Duke Meets Concord Jazz All Stars
With Concord Super BandIn Tokyo Concord Super Band II
With Benny GoodmanLive at Carnegie Hall 40th Anniversary Concert The King
With Woody HermanPresents a Concord Jam Volume 1 A Great American Evening Vol. 3 We
With Eiji KitamuraDear Friends No Count
With Marshal RoyalFirst Chair Royal Blue
With Warren VacheJillian Polished Brass
With others