Who did Eleanor Collins marry? All about Richard Collins – Eleanor Collins, the Canadian jazz singer, television host, and civic leader, was married to Richard L. Collins. They tied the knot in 1942 and remained married for 70 years.
Together, they moved to Burnaby in 1948 with her four children, Rick, Judith, Barry, and Tom.
As the only black family in the neighborhood, her neighbours started an unsuccessful petition to prevent them from moving in.
Her children were bullied at school. Collins, in turn, volunteered at the school and began teaching music to Girl Guides.
The family was included in the 1994 video documentary Hymn to Freedom: The History of Blacks in Canada.
Eleanor Collins’ legacy extends beyond her musical achievements, as she was also recognized for her civic leadership and influence in the entertainment industry.
Her impact as a jazz icon and television pioneer has left an indelible mark on Canadian music history, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the realm of jazz and broadcasting.
Collins was born in Edmonton on November 21, 1919. Her parents had moved from Oklahoma to the Prairies with hundreds of other Black homesteaders. Collins began singing on CFRN radio station at the age of fifteen after winning a singing competition.
During the 1950s, Collins participated in various stage shows and recorded songs with the Ray Norris Quintet.
She also performed at a performance in Stanley Park in Vancouver in 1952. She still had a huge career ahead of her and was already establishing herself as Vancouver’s leading lady of jazz.
In 2014, at the age of 95, she was invested into The Order of Canada for her work. Canada Post unveiled a stamp honor Collins in 2022.
She died on Sunday, March 3, 2024, aged 104.
