Eleanor Collins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eleanor Collins
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Collins performing in the 1940s
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| Born |
Elnora Ruth Procter
November 21, 1919 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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| Died | March 3, 2024 (aged 104) Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
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| Other names | Elnora Ruth Procter |
| Occupation | Singer, television host |
| Years active | 1934–1990s |
| Spouse(s) |
Richard Collins
(m. 1942; died 2012) |
| Children | 4 |
Eleanor Collins (born Elnora Ruth Procter; November 21, 1919 – March 3, 2024) was a famous Canadian jazz singer and TV host. She was often called "Canada's First Lady of Jazz" because of her amazing talent and pioneering work.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Eleanor Collins was born Elnora Ruth Procter in Edmonton, Alberta, on November 21, 1919. Her parents came from Oklahoma and were of Black and Creole Indian heritage. They moved to Canada after seeing an advertisement for land.
As a young girl, Eleanor loved to sing. She performed hymns and religious songs at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Edmonton. This church was started by many Black immigrants, including her family.
When she was just 15, Eleanor won a talent contest in Edmonton. This helped her start singing with local bands like Joe Macelli's dance band and a group called the Three Es. She also sang on a radio station called CFRN.
Becoming a Star in Music and TV
In 1938, Eleanor moved to Vancouver. There, she joined a gospel music group called the Swing Low Quartette. They sang on CBC Radio from 1940 to 1942.
Later, in 1945, she began singing jazz with Ray Norris's jazz quintet. They performed on a CBC Radio show called Serenade in Rhythm. This show was very popular and was even broadcast to Canadian soldiers serving overseas.
After a short break, Eleanor performed in musicals like Finian's Rainbow and Kiss Me, Kate in the early 1950s.
Making History on Television
In 1954, Eleanor made history on CBC Vancouver TV. She appeared in a show called Bamboula: A Day in the West Indies. This show was important because it was the first time an interracial cast (actors of different races) appeared together on Canadian television. It was also the first variety show made in Vancouver.
Because of her talent, CBC asked Eleanor to star in her own show, The Eleanor Show. It aired in 1955. This made her the first woman, the first person of color, and the first jazz singer to have her own show on national TV in Canada! This happened even before the famous Nat King Cole Show in the United States.
She continued to star in other TV shows like Blues and the Ballad and Eleanor Sings the Blues in 1960, and another show simply called Eleanor in 1964. She also appeared on many other radio and TV programs throughout the 1960s and 70s. Even though she received offers to move to the U.S., she chose to stay in Canada.
Performing Live and Recording
Besides her TV and radio work, Eleanor performed in clubs and concerts. She sang with many talented musicians like Chris Gage and Doug Parker. People often compared her to famous jazz singers like Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald.
Eleanor recorded music with Ray Norris in 1951. She also appeared on CBC albums by other musicians. Interestingly, the only recordings she ever made were for the CBC.
She continued to perform into the 1970s. She was a music director at a local church and sang for Canada Day celebrations in 1975 in front of 80,000 people! In later years, she still performed occasionally, including at jazz festivals and on radio programs. She even performed with legendary musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson.
Family Life and Later Years
Eleanor married Richard Collins in 1942, and they were married for 70 years. They had four children: Rick, Judith, Barry, and Tom. In 1948, they moved to Burnaby. At that time, they were the only Black family in their new neighborhood. Some neighbors tried to stop them from moving in, and her children faced challenges at school.
Eleanor responded by becoming very involved in the community. She volunteered at her children's school and taught music to Girl Guides. Her family's story was even included in a documentary about the history of Black people in Canada in 1994. She moved to Surrey in the early 1990s.
On her 95th birthday, November 21, 2014, Eleanor was given the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honors a Canadian citizen can receive. She celebrated her 100th birthday in 2019. In 2022, Canada Post honored her with a special postage stamp!
Eleanor Collins passed away on March 3, 2024, at the amazing age of 104.
Awards and Recognitions
Eleanor Collins received many awards for her contributions to music and Canadian culture:
- Distinguished Centennial Pioneer Award – 1986
- BC Entertainment Hall of Fame Star – 1992
- BC Black Historical Society Award
- Alberta Black Cultural Research Society Award
- ACTRA Sam Payne Award – 2006
- Order of Canada – 2014
- Black Canadian Awards Lifetime Achievement Award – 2014
- Commemorative stamp – 2022
