Photo of Mick Collns by kind courtesy of Patricia Collins

Dave Gelly writes:

MICK COLLINS 1938-2015

Trumpeter Mick Collins, who died on 9th April, aged 76,was one of that rare and indispensable class of musicians who give substance to every jazz scene. They play at a high professional level, assemble bands (and,what’s more, manage to keep them together), and teach generations of young players – all through the exercise of sheer enthusiasm.

Through the 1960s and ’70s, Mick played with, among others, Mike Westbrook, the Brotherhood of Breath, Centipede, and Midnite Follies. Beginning in the 1970s – the days before music colleges took much notice of jazz – the bands he put together at various venues around London gave young musicians essential experience of ensemble playing. Among them were Stan Sulzmann, Alan Barnes, Guy Barker, Mark Nightingale, Nick Weldon, Chris Laurence, Bryan Spring…the list goes on.

Mick formed his own band, the Mick Collins Modern Jazz Orchestra, more than 40 years ago. It continues playing its regular gig, on the first Monday of each month, at the HG Wells Centre, Bromley.

Mick’s funeral takes place on Tuesday 5th May at Hither Green Cemetery, SE6 1JX, at 1pm. 
LINK: Mick Collins Modern Jazz Orchestra on Facebook