Felicia Collins

Felicia Michele Collins (born April 10, 1964 in Jackson, Tennessee) is an American vocalist, guitarist and occasional percussionist. She is best known for her work on the CBS television program Late Show with David Letterman, as part of the CBS Orchestra.

Early life

Collins was "born in Jackson, Tennessee and brought home to The Bronx (New York) two months later".[1]

Collins spent time as a young girl in Albany, NY, living with her mother in the Arbor Hill district in downtown Albany, where she bought her first guitar.[2]

Beginnings in music

While enrolled in school as a graphic design major in the 1980s, Collins began playing with local musicians in New York City. When playing with a band called The Take, she met and became friends with producer and artist Nile Rodgers. He offered her studio work on various projects. The Thompson Twins invited Collins to play guitar on their world tour in 1985. Collins made her live debut with the band that summer at Live Aid.

Soon after, Collins toured with Al Jarreau, after being featured on his L is for Lover album (1986), on a song called "Pleasure." She quickly found herself an integral part of the Jarreau set. While she was still on tour with Jarreau, Nile Rodgers suggested that she record an album with him and Philippe Saisse, in a trio called Outloud. An album of the same name was released in 1988 on the Warner Bros. label.

CBS Orchestra

Just after completing work on Cyndi Lauper's Hat Full of Stars tour in 1993, Collins was asked by bandleader Paul Shaffer to join the CBS Orchestra. She accepted and performed on the show for over 21 years, from its premiere on August 30, 1993, through the final episode on May 20, 2015.[3][4]

Other work

Collins has toured and recorded with artists such as Madonna, Vonda Shepard, George Clinton, Thompson Twins and P-Funk.[5]

Collins originated and leads the New York City band Felicia Collins & the Life, formerly known as Bitchslapp.[6]

Musical Influences

Collins musical influences range from Stevie Wonder, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Mandrill, Larry LeVan, Jef Lee Johnson, KRS-One, The Roots, Luminous Flux.[1]

References
  1. "Felicia Collins Interview". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. September 27, 2004. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  2. Grondahl, Paul. "How an Albany Girl and Self Taught Guitarist Landed the Letterman Gig". www.timesunion.com. Albany Times Union. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
  3. "Felicia Michele Collins – Biography". Late Show with David Letterman. CBS Entertainment. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  4. "Felicia Michele Collins". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  5. "How an Albany girl and self-taught guitarist landed Letterman gig". Times Union. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  6. "Felicia Collins – Bio". feliciacollins.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
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