Vocalist Ramona Collins is the headliner for the fourth Discovers Music Series concert of the 2024-25 season. Scheduled for Sunday, May 4, at 3 p.m., this free admission concert is sponsored by Timothy’s Perrysburg Foundation and hosted by St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. The recital space will open at 2:30 p.m. There is no reserved seating.
Backed by a quartet of instrumentalists, this will be Collins first appearance in the series.
This marks the second season that Discovers has been an integral part of the new Timothy’s Perrysburg Foundation, which supports three initiatives: Discovers Music Series; The Clothesline, a free clothing opportunity; and the new St. Tim’s Kitchen, which supports food insecurity by repurposing rescued food.
Collins has thrilled Toledo area audiences for many years, including her long tenure at the former Rusty’s Jazz Café on Tedrow and Murphy’s Place downtown. More recently, she has been heard at Lucille’s at Tolhouse and often at Jazz in the Garden at the Toledo Botanical Gardens.
Her career has embraced a number of musical genres; however, she may be best known for her authentic and expressive interpretations of jazz standards. The Blade’s Tom Henry (2021) has written that Ramona is “the hardest working singer in Toledo.”
The performer will be accompanied by some of the best jazz musicians in this area, including those with whom she has recorded. The quartet includes saxophonist Mark Lemle, pianist Eric Dickey, Kevin Eikum, bass and Brad Billmaier, drum set. During her tenure at Rusty’s, Collins recorded her first album entitled “Everything Old is New… Again–Live at Rusty’s Jazz Cafe.” Lemle, Eikum and Dickey also are on that recording.
Lemle, owner of Lemle’s Piano Service and prolific performer on woodwinds, has performed previously in the Discovers series. He has played lead alto with the Toledo Jazz Orchestra throughout most of its history, and has appeared with the Toledo Symphony.
Dickey, piano, known as both a jazz and liturgical musician, is currently the music director at Community of Christ Lutheran Church in Whitehouse.
Eikum, bass, has performed for 20 years with the Toledo Jazz Orchestra. Also a fine vocalist, he performs with Sixth Edition.
Billmaier, drum set, is also making his first appearance in the Discovers series. He is a composer and educator as well as a performer.
St. Timothy Episcopal Church is at 871 East Boundary, Perrysburg. The facility is accessible and offers ample parking.
Discovers is a series dedicated to bringing quality music programs to audiences from throughout Northwest Ohio. Donations are appreciated and patron information is available at the concert. All programs are free and open to the public, scheduled on Sunday afternoons.
Information on upcoming events in the series is available at timothysperrysburg. org.
