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Biography
Tim Collins plays music! That's the bottom line.. Whether he's laying down a fat groove behind a drum kit, or bearing his soul on the vibes, it's the music that always comes through. Raised in a musical family in Plattsburgh, NY, Tim spent the better part of his childhood watching records spin, playing drums, piano and watching baseball games. Since moving to New York City in 2000, he has had the pleasure of performing with some top notch players from the rock, jazz, R&B, classical, and Latin worlds. In 2007 he released "Valcour" on Arabesque Records, his first album as a leader and a record Cadence magazine called "a wonderful listening experience of topnotch original mainstream jazz." Downbeat magazine, the premier jazz periodical, is set to include a glowing review of the disc in its March edition.
Collins has played (both drums and vibes) with such diverse musicians as Dave Liebman, John Abercrombie, Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra, Bobby Sanabria, George Cables, Joe Piscopo, John Ellis, Aaron Parks, Hilton Ruiz, Antonio Hart, Brian Seeger, Miguel Zenon, Buster Williams, Helio Alves, The Ronettes, Ingrid Jensen, George Porter Jr., Simon Lott, Harvie S, Curtis Fuller, and Christian McBride.
Hailed by critics, fans, and fellow musicians alike, the compositions on "Valcour" will open your ears to a rising star in the world of jazz. His talented band includes the outstanding drummer Simon Lott (Charlie Hunter); bassist Matt Clohesy (Gary Bartz); pianist Aaron Parks (Terence Blanchard); Ingrid Jensen (Lonnie Smith, Clark Terry) on trumpet and flugelhorn; and Matt Blostein (Danilo Perez) on the alto sax.
In the studio, Tim has been a sideman on numerous musical projects. He's done percussion tracks for hip-hop producer DJ Burt, plus all percussion (and even some keys) for a Dos Equis beer commercial. He's done record dates for Billy Fox (contemporary chamber ensemble), two records with Matthias Bublath (jazz/Latin pianist and Hammond B3 Organ), Sam Barsh (R&B meets jazz), La Laque (indie rock band), Sherri Roberts (jazz vocalist), and CLAIR (southern folk/rock band) to name a few. Collins is also the drummer of the exciting new rock band Elephantbear, whose debut CD "Hide and Go Seek" is due out in early 2008. Even the Astoria Symphony Orchestra has called on Tim's percussive expertise for a movie soundtrack recording session. He is also a member of pianist Sam Barsh's band.
In addition to his busy performance schedule, Tim also teaches frequently. He has served on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music (prep division), Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and the Larchmont Music Academy. He has also given clinics at Virginia Commonwealth University, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Binghamton University, Plattsburgh State University and many high schools and elementary schools throughout New York and Vermont.
As a composer, Tim likes to combine the elements of his diverse musical tastes. His album "Valcour" features nine original compositions, plus his arrangement of the popular Police song "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic". In addition, his composition "Brooklyn Boogaloo" was recorded by the wonderful pianist Ayako Shirasaki on her album "Musically Yours" (2005, What's New Records). When he feels like rocking out a little more, he writes and produces pop songs with guitarist and childhood friend Mike Pedersen and bassist George Facteau as Elephantbear. He has written numerous choral and vocal arrangements for Dawn Treader productions, and worked as a score assistant/arranger on the PBS music special "Heavenly Voices." Look for more compositions as well as film projects to be coming out this year.
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