Ramona Collins during Jazz Appreciation Month

Jazz Appreciation Month (fondly known as "JAM") was created at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April.

JAM is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz - to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and more.

Singer, songwriter, actress, educator, emcee, and radio personality Ramona Collins is a premier entertainer. Audiences throughout the Midwest have known for quite some time this Toledo-based singer is one of the region’s true treasures and best-kept secrets. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Ramona was reared in Lansing, Michigan by a jazz pianist/singer mother, the late Alice Carter, who encouraged her daughter to sing at an early age to combat shyness. Today, anyone fortunate enough to witness the veteran performer at work will detect not a whit of shyness. Sultry, seasoned, witty and cool are words that come to mind when experiencing this engaging performer whose command of the stage and vast repertoire have helped her establish a solid rapport with club, concert and festival audiences wherever she goes.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable. No DSLR, point-and-shoot, or other digital/film cameras permitted (mobile phones are ok) unless credentialed in advance.

Lucille’s is a cozy venue with clean sight lines & good sound featuring Jazz, Blues & Latin acts, plus eats. Founded in 2021, Lucille's is a publicly accessible jazz lounge which is located inside TolHouse, a private, Members-only social club designed for the city-dwelling creative and entrepreneurial class.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lucille's Jazz Lounge, 1447 North Summit Street, Toledo, United States