Jay Collins

Jay Collins picked up the alto saxophone 22 years ago.Over the years he has played in multiple big bands, small and large combos, musicals (including Bye Bye Birdie at the Mabel earlier this year), and blues and R&B bands.Jay graduated from North Park College in Chicago where he was awarded as that year's distinguished jazz musician by faculty and students.He has studied with be-bop legend Don Lanphere as well as jazz luminaries Dennis Plies, Warren Rand and Renato Caranto, who make their home in Portland, Oregon, where Jay led a jazz quintet for three years.Jay moved to Western Wisconsin from Portland two years ago and now lives on a small community farm outside of Colfax with his wife and son, his sister-in-law, her husband and their son.He teaches 6th grade writing at MMS and is currently a member of the Tropo Big Band.