Lee Collins

A talented early New Orleans trumpeter, Collins began his career taking part in as an adolescent in a variety of brass bands, like the Small Eagles, the Columbia Music group, and the Small Tuxedo Music group. In 1924, Collins visited Chicago, where he was Louis Armstrong’s alternative with Ruler Oliver; he also documented with Jelly Move Morton. He came back to New Orleans and cut four amazing sides using the Jones-Collins Astoria Warm Eight in 1929, performed briefly in 1930 with Luis Russell in NY, and then returned to Chicago. Through the entire 1930s and ’40s, Collins frequently accompanied blues performers and was a normal fixture in Chicago night clubs. After touring European countries with Mezz Mezzrow in 1951 and 1954, he became sick and experienced to retire. His autobiography (Oh Didn’t He Ramble) is usually filled with invaluable stories about the first times of New Orleans jazz.