Joyce Collins, 1930-2010

Joyce was my first cousin and I could hardly wait for her to come to Reno where she would sit at our piano and play "Malaguena" when I was a little girl. That is my first memory and I never forgot it. Heard from a relative and I am so sad.

To the best of my knowledge, obits for jazz photog Ted Williams, who died last October, appeared in neither (LA or NY) "Times." Same thing, recently, with Joyce Collins. Ironically, and mercifully, not the case with great guitarist Jimmy Wyble. Go figger? In the instance of Collins, there was an effort made by the family to get the L.A. Times to respond, but to no avail. Guess it helps to be a washed-up, drugged-out kid star.

The unforgettable Joyce Collins --- my first steady gig after arriving from Minnesota in 1965 was with Joyce at the Carousel Theatre bar in West Covina. It was about 100 miles round trip every night and we always drove together --- Her edgy wit usually sparked some hysterical conversations about our marriages, both of which were failing at the time --- but the most memorable thing to me was her powerful time groove. This was a piano/bass duo and trumpeter Larry Maguire, who was in the pit at the Carousel and listened to us most nights, offered a great compliment when he said, "when you guys are playing, I can always hear the drums."

Thanks for the ride, Joyce!

Joyce was my friend and teacher since 2000. The best teacher I ever had and a delight to be with. She had a great fund of jokes/jazz stories and a session at Joyce's was always over 2 hours.
I miss her already

I met Joyce at the Dick Grove School of Music as I was one of her students. I was pretty much a beginner and I loved Joyce's quote "where you are is where you are". I treasured her Jazz Keyboard Classes and became good friends with her, Liz Kinnon, and Jennifer Russell (another Groover). We called ourselves the Ladies Who Lunch.I had a brief music career but can thank Joyce that I even had a career! I loved listening to her stories about musicians, men, and life. She made me laugh and I will miss her terribly. She was the hippest older woman I ever knew.

I've known Joyce for over fifty years and have seen her through her trio, her marriages, her friendships with Jimmie Rowles, Jeri Southern, and me, and her enthusiasm for her teaching. She was so appreciative of the efforts of others, and occasionally would admit to liking something she had done.

Joyce produced and arranged a CD for Wilfred Brimley, the actor, who loves to sing; though the band was a trio plus a horn, she took it very seriously, and would call now and then with a question on arranging, being careful to not impose.

A great lady, earthy yet proper. A sweetheart.

Just a note that the video (mentioned in one of the comments below) was with some of the top Brazilian musicians, and was recorded when she went to play in Brazil (not Italy).

I met Joyce in 1981 at the Dick Grove School of Music. We connected immediately and became very close, sharing so much music, so many stories, and many, many laughs over the years.

I will miss her terribly, but I'm very grateful for the wonderful gift it was to know her.

Like those who have posted comments, and so many others, I was a fan of Joyce's and saw her perform many times. (Thanks to Ruth Olay for reminding me of THE JOB APPLICATION, every bit as moving as Ruth says.) Another favorite of Joyce's was Ornette Coleman's TURNAROUND, which she did often.

Joyce was also a fine composer. Two of the songs on her SWEET MADNESS album are hers - the title track and VERMELHO.

Something else about Joyce: She was the piano coach for one of the Bridges brothers for the move “The Fabulous Baker Boys”. She told me which one, but I’ve since forgotten. I’m thinking it was Beau. I do remember she said it was great experience and that she really enjoyed doing it.

Joyce was very nice and talented lady and, so far as I know, the only jazz musician that Battle Mountain, Nevada has produced.

I just this morning heard news of Joyce's passing. She was a dear person, whom I met shortly after moving to L.A. in 1969. She (Terry Trotter, as well) was studying "legit" piano with Victor Aller, and recommended him to me (I studied with Victor for a year or more). I used to hear Joyce at many of the L.A. clubs and loved her taste, timing, sensitivity.

Joyce and I have been friends since l956. I was working at YeLittle Club and had hired Buddy Motsinger who was a close friend of Joyce's in San Francisco. That is how I got to meet Joyce.

Buddy and I worked together for 11 years and he, I and Joyce would gather at one place or another and just talk, they would play and we
were all very close. We were confidants and treasured our time together.

I loved Joyce's playing and there was one exceptional song she did that was written by the Bergmans..called "The Job Application". Nobody that I know
has ever recorded that song.. she did it to perfection and it was always requested.. The contents of the lyrics are so very moving that often there are a few seconds of silence when it's over until people start to applaud..

All of her friends loved, admired and enjoyed Joyce.. her wit, her intelligence and sensitivity.

RIP, Joycie.
I love you and miss you.
Ruth Olay

Thanks, Doug, for this piece about Joyce. I was never able to see her perform, but have the album with Jack Sheldon and also exchanged e-mails with Joyce before her passing.

There is at least one more video of Joyce on YouTube - shot in Italy with top Italian jazzmen- Joyce comping at the piano.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdkWoUVUcVc