Cal Collins; Featured Guitarist in Benny Goodman’s Band

Cal Collins, 68, a jazz guitar virtuoso and featured member of Benny Goodman’s band in the late 1970s, died Sunday of liver failure at his home in Dillsboro, Ind.

Born in Medora, Ind., Collins was raised in an atmosphere of bluegrass and country music but grew interested in jazz, particularly the music of guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Collins also became interested in the Nat Cole Trio, which featured guitarist Oscar Moore. In the 1950s, he settled in Cincinnati and played guitar in local jazz clubs, accompanying some of the leading names in jazz as they passed through the city.

In the 1970s, he joined Goodman for a four-year gig, which brought him new exposure and a contract with Concord Records, where he was teamed with such players as Buddy Tate, Al Cohn, Marshall Royal and Scott Hamilton.

In the 1980s, Collins accompanied a number of jazz vocalists, including Rosemary Clooney.