Addison Shields Collins Jr (1922 - 1976)

Born 6 Mar 1922 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Jane Cooley — married 15 Aug 1946 (to Jan 1966) in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

Died Feb 1976 at age 53 in Dublin, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States

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Biography

Addison Collins Jr is Notable.

Corporal Addison Collins Jr served in the United States Army in World War II
Service started: 27 Jun 1942
Unit(s): 383rd Army Air Force Band
Service ended: 23 Nov 1945

Addison Shields Collins Jr. is a notable figure in music, particularly jazz, for his remarkable talent as a French horn player. His innovative approach to incorporating the French horn into jazz orchestras helped break traditional boundaries and demonstrated the instrument's adaptability to the genre. Collins' musical journey included performing with renowned bands and musicians, such as Claude Thornhill, Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan, and contributing to Miles Davis' iconic "Birth of the Cool" album. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of jazz instrumentation and his contributions to the world of music have solidified his status as a noteworthy and influential figure in the history of jazz.^[1]

Addison Shields Collins Jr. was born on March 6, 1922^[2], in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas^[3], to his parents, Addison Shields Collins Sr. and Kathryne Maud (Weaver) Collins. In 1930, he lived on Park Avenue in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, providing a glimpse into his early life.^[4]

As a young man, Collins attended Baylor University in Texas^[5], where he became known for his musical talents, particularly his proficiency in playing the French horn. He earned the nickname "Sonny Collins" during his time at the university. In 1940, he continued to live in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana.^[6]

In 1942, Addison enlisted in the United States Army and served until his discharge on November 23, 1945.^[7] During his military service, he played for the Army Air Force Band, previously led by the legendary Glenn Miller. He spent two years with the band and later alternated between Paris and the Riviera, entertaining American Armed Forces stationed in Europe during World War II.^[8]

After his honorable discharge from the army, Addison Collins relocated to New York City, New York.^[3] It was in New York that he married Jane Isabelle Cooley on August 15, 1946, in Manhattan.^[9][10] However, their marriage eventually ended in divorce in January 1966, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.^[11]

Addison Collins made a name for himself in the music world, particularly in jazz circles. He was known for his distinctive talent in playing the French horn, an instrument rarely seen in jazz bands. Collins believed the French horn had a place in jazz music, and he demonstrated its adaptability to the genre. He even appeared on NBC's "Victor Borge Show," where he was recognized as a studious-looking young man with a flourishing mustache, and the French horn in hand.^[12]

Collins' musical journey also included playing in Claude Thornhill's orchestra and collaborating with notable jazz musicians like Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan, and the nonet featured on Miles Davis' influential album, "Birth of the Cool."^[1]

Tragically, Addison Shields Collins Jr. died in February 1976^[13], in Dublin, New Hampshire.^[14] He was laid to rest at Dublin Town Cemetery in Dublin, Cheshire County, New Hampshire^[15], leaving behind a legacy as a skilled French horn player who made a unique mark in the world of jazz music.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Wikipedia contributors, "Junior Collins," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Junior_Collins&oldid=1145094231 (accessed October 21, 2023).
2. ↑ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007: Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. Ancestry Record 60901 #809086700
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For New York City, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147 Ancestry Record 2238 #195199577
4. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0035; FHL microfilm: 2340522 Ancestry Record 6224 #34457638
5. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Shreveport Journal, Shreveport, Louisiana, 30 Nov 1939, Thu. - Page 8. "Personals - Addison Collins." Accessed 20 Oct 2023.
6. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana; Roll: m-t0627-01388; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 9-76A Ancestry Record 2442 #120226456
7. ↑ U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010: Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Ancestry Record 2441 #4639981
8. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, 21 May 1945, Mon. - Page 1. "There are Smiles Continued From Page One." Accessed 20 Oct 2023.
9. ↑ New York, New York, U.S., Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018: New York City Municipal Archives; New York, New York; Borough: Manhattan; Volume Number: 40 Ancestry Record 61406 #1125547
10. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11 Dec 1947, Thu. - Page 59. "Mother Advised Her Not to Leave Home, But Isabelle Cooley Took a Chance and Did Anway." Accessed 20 Oct 2023.
11. ↑ California, U.S., Divorce Index, 1966-1984: Ancestry.com. California, U.S., Divorce Index, 1966-1984 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: State of California. California Divorce Index, 1966-1984. Microfiche. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. Ancestry Record 1141 #1222633
12. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, Pauls Valley Enterprise and Valley News, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, 19 Dec 1946, Thu. - Page 15. "Addison Collins French Horn." Accessed 20 Oct 2023.
13. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #11740294
14. ↑ Discogs, 2023. https://www.discogs.com/artist/510836-Addison-Collins Addison Collins]." Accessed 20 Oct 2023.
15. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147697583/addison-shields-collins: accessed 20 October 2023), memorial page for Addison Shields Collins Jr. (6 Mar 1922–Feb 1975), Find A Grave: Memorial #147697583, citing Dublin Town Cemetery, Dublin, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA; Maintained by Terry Collins (contributor 47215366).

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q3430103