Eleanor Collins

Elnora Ruth Collins ( Proctor; November 21, 1919 – March 3, 2024) was a Canadian jazz singer, television host, and civic leader. She was known as Canada's First Lady of Jazz.

Early life

Elnora bella Procter was born on November the 21st, 1919, in Edmonton, Alberta. Her parents were of Black and Creole heritage and were originally from the State of Oklahoma. They were drawn to the area by a 1906 advertisement to purchase a quarter section of land for $10, among more than 10,000 Black homesteaders who did so. As a girl, she sang and played hymns, religious songs, and anthems, and was involved in Shiloh Baptist Church in Edmonton, a congregation formed by those recent immigrants.

In 1938, she relocated to Vancouver and began performing with the Swing Low Quartette, a gospel group that consisted of Collins, her sister, Ruby Sneed, along with Edna Panky and Zandy Price. Canada Post honoured her with a commemorative stamp on January 21, 2022.

Collins died on March 3, 2024, at the age of 104.

Honours

Distinguished Centennial Pioneer Award – 1986 Commemorative stamp – 2022