Jazz From the Shamrock Shore is tenor saxophonist Chris Collins' third CD. And by far it's his most ambitious. Capturing the depth and substance of two different musical forms, this new CD combines traditional Irish folk music with American Jazz.
"This CD captures a turning point in my life and my music," says Collins who has worked with legendary performers such as Mel Torme, Lou Rawls and Rosemary Clooney.
His muse on this recording was traditional Celtic folklore. Celtic characters and legends, including mermaids, evil stepmothers and lost little girls inspired each piece on the CD. His compositions artfully combine clarinet, penny whistle, saxophone, violin, harp and jazz quartet to capture the mood of each story.
What possessed Collins to try to fuse two such diverse musical styles together? It began as a musical exploration of his ethnic heritage and eventually became "a guiding force and consuming inspiration."
"These new works are the realization of my lifelong dream to fuse the music of my cultural heritage with the American art form that has guided my life and music for nearly 20 years," he says. "It's my intention to respect the depth, history, and artistry of both traditions in this music." Collins was further inspired by the music of Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains, a traditional Irish band that for more than two decades has led the way in fusing Irish music with other popular music. "Mr. Moloney's work gave me confidence that jazz and Irish folk could be combined in meaningful compositions," says Collins.
Collins has built up quite a following on the Detroit jazz scene. He counts among his fans Mitch Albom, author, columnist and radio personality and the late Bob Talbert, columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Mitch Genova, critic for Detroit Jazz Magazine has called him "the most dynamic, hard-charging and challenging tenor sax voice on the scene today."
In addition to composing and recording music, Collins is devoted to his daytime gig - passing on his passion for jazz to the next generation of musicians. Collins is an associate professor and director of the music management program at Wayne State University. His career at the university began as a student, where he had the once in a lifetime opportunity to tour through Europe performing with a small group of fellow Wayne State students. As a result of a search, Dennis Tini, chair, Music Department, tapped Collins upon graduating to join the faculty. Tini, an accomplished jazz pianist in his own right, has since played piano on all of Collins CDs. Likewise, Collins has played saxophone on Tini's most recent recording.
Collins released Jazz for the Shamrock Shore, appropriately enough, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17. This CD is the first of many that Collins plans to release that explore these new compositions and performance concepts. His two previous releases, A Time to Mourn, a Time to Dance and Urban Solitude, more mainstream jazz releases, received critical praise.
The Wayne State University College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts is educating the next generation of visual artists, musicians, communication professionals and professional actors and dancers. The college offers 16undergraduate and 12 graduate programs in Art and Art History, Communication, Dance, Music and Theatre with students benefiting from expert faculty and excellent resources such as the nationally recognized Hilberry Theatre.
Fast Facts
- Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Music, Wayne State University, Master's degree in Music, Wayne State University
- Career Highlights: Toured throughout the United States, Europe, U.K. and Japan as both leader and sideman
- Performed live with Mel Torme, Louie Bellson, Red Rodney, Lou Rawls, LouMarini, Don Menza, John Fedchock, Rosemary Clooney and Jack Brokensha
- Presented workshops and master classes in Atlanta, Ann Arbor, Boston, Chicago, Kokura (Japan), Glasgow (Scotland), and Lemington (Ontario).
- Performed for the soundtrack of the Paramount pictures release The Big Night