Cam Collins (Saxophonist/Clarinetist) is originally from Columbus, Indiana, and has grown up around music. From the time he was young, Cam has been actively involved with music, starting in the Suzuki string program at age 4. He began woodwinds in the 5th grade with clarinet, at Parkside Elementary School. He proceeded to Northside Middle School, where he continued with the band, and the clarinet, under the direction of B.J. Marks. Finally, at Columbus North High School, Cam picked up the saxophone for the jazz program, directed by Bill Stultz. Mr. Stultz was encouraging to Cam, and helped to generate his interest, not only in jazz, but in classical studies. in high school, Cam studied both clarinet and saxophone, and began experimenting with jazz. Paramount to Cam’s jazz education was saxophonist and area professional, Tom Clark, who guided him on his early path to a music career. Upon deciding to study music at the collegiate level, Cam began studies at the world renowned Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana. There, Cam studied saxophone with Dr. Thomas Walsh, and clarinet with James Campbell, as well as the jazz faculty, including David Baker, Pat Harbison, and Luke Gillespie. During his second year in college, Cam auditioned for, and was accepted into, the U.S. Naval Academy Band as lead alto in the “Next Wave†jazz ensemble.
Cam has performed as a soloist with many leading ensembles, including the Columbus Philharmonic, Indiana Ambassadors of Music, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Pat Harbison Big Band, and most recently,lead alto saxophone with the Disneyland All American College Band. In High school, Cam participated in the All State Jazz Band, as well as the All State Concert Band. Cam has received numerous awards and honors for musicianship. Some of these include outstanding soloist awards from Jazz Festivals such as Bloomington, Purdue, Illinois State, Indiana State, and Intersections. Other honors consist of the Columbus Indiana Mayor’s Arts Award (2002), Esprit de Corps Award (2002), U.S. Marine Corps’ Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence(2002), and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. Cam has also earned scholarships from Indiana University, Eastman College of Music, DePaul University, The George Eastman Scholarship, Betty Brown Memorial Scholarship, Columbus Youth Orchestra Woodwind Scholarship, Psi Iota Xi Music Educator Scholarship, Navy Musicians Scholarship, and the Indiana State University Jazz Scholarship.
Over the course of his career, Cam has appeared with many big names of the music industry, including Fred Hersch, Bill Watrous, Tom Kubis, John Clayton, Shelley Berg, Wayne Bergeron, Bobby Rydell, Steve Allee, Bob Florence, Gregg Field, Steve Houghton, Bill Warfield, Dave Samuels and Gary Foster, to name a few.
Please see www.camcollinsjazz.com for news and performance dates.
