John Collins, 83; Jazz Guitarist for Nat Cole

John Collins, a jazz guitarist primarily known for his longtime association with Nat King Cole, has died. He was 83.

Collins, who had been battling cancer, died Oct. 4 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in West Los Angeles.

A native of Montgomery, Ala., John Elbert Collins grew up in Chicago and briefly played clarinet before switching to guitar. Some of his earliest work was in a band led by his mother, pianist Georgia Gorham.

Collins moved on to New York, playing with top-notch jazzmen such as Roy Eldridge and later the great pianist Art Tatum.

In the 1940s, Collins accompanied singer Billie Holiday and saxophonist Lester Young, and played in bands led by Benny Carter and Fletcher Henderson.

Collins was drafted into the Army during World War II and played in a number of Army bands. After leaving the service, Collins played with such pianists as Tatum, Errol Garner and Billy Taylor.

Esquire magazine gave Collins its New Star award as best guitarist of 1947. Though his work over the years was generally well-received, the Esquire award would be his lone jazz poll honor.

In 1951, he joined Cole, replacing guitarist Oscar Moore, for what would be a 14-year association that ended only with Cole’s death in 1965.

Collins then worked with Patti Page and Bobby Troup, and later toured Europe with his own group.

He played occasionally around Southern California in the 1990s, but worked mainly as a private teacher.

He is survived by his wife, Naomi; daughters Patricia and Jan; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.