Joan Collaso is a native of Chicago. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Chicago State University. Her artistry is celebrated throughout Chicago, the Midwest and internationally. Her credits and contributions to the performing arts community are numerous, including productions and performances, live and recorded background vocalist for top artists, and performances for film and television. Among many awards, Joan received a coveted Emmy for her performance in the PBS Special Precious Memories, Strolling 47th Street. Her film and television credits span from Oprah Winfrey to the hit TV show Empire. Her voice has been heard on numerous radio and TV commercials, and recordings. She’s performed supporting vocals in concert for musical giants like Stevie Wonder, George Duke, Al Jarreau and for the late “Queen of Soul” Ms. Aretha Franklin. She’s opened for Jeffrey Osbourne and India Irie, and performed her one-woman show, A Tribute to Nancy Wilson and Shirley Horn in Las Vegas. In addition to being an accomplished performer, Ms. Collaso is the founder and Executive Director of Timeless Gifts Performing Arts Program for Youth & Young Adults, an organization that inspires, instructs and provides advanced professional performance opportunities for young aspiring artists in the Chicago land area. In April of 2019 Ms. Collaso and her team took The Timeless Gifts’ Vocal Ensemble, 16 young vocalists, and 3 young musicians on their debut performance tour in Milan, Italy, with hopes to finally return in 2022.
Quotes:
“She happens to be one of the best Jazz vocalists in Chicago.” — Richard Steele, WBEZ 91.5FM
I’d love to turn the rest of the Jazz universe on to one of the best singers in Chicago. —Mark Ruffin, Program Director Real Jazz, Sirius XM Satellite Radio
Joan Collaso is one of the most talented and versatile singers/entertainers that I have had the
pleasure to work with. In my experience of working with her she has amazed me with her ability to capture audiences across the world. She can
get down in any genre of music hence the versatility. I would have to say that anyone who has
the opportunity to see a Joan Collaso performance should without hesitation. —Nick Colionne, International Smooth Jazz Guitarist
Joan Collaso’s Notable Performances:
– 2000 – 2021Elkhart Jazz Festival (Headliner along with Monty Alexander in 2021)
– 2012, 2018, 2019 Chicago Jazz Festival
– 2018, 2021 Hyde Park Jazz Festival
– 2015 and 2011 African Festival of the Arts (opened for India Irie and Jeffrey Osborne)
– Background vocalist for: Aretha Franklin (2015-2018), Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, George Duke, Michael Henderson
– 7 CDs to her credit
– 2010-present, Founder and Executive / Artistic Director of 501c3 organization, Timeless Gifts Youth Program for the Performing Arts
– Creator, producer and director of musical productions in Chicago:
A Tribute to Nancy Wilson & Shirley Horn
Eleven Gospel Divas
Eleven Jazzy Divas
Timeless Gifts Christmas Duets Mentoring Concert
A Legacy for America’s Children, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
.(musical narrative, educational play for youth)
A Timeless Revue (musical narrative play)
– Performed for 3 History Makers PBS specials:
An Evening with Valerie Simpson, An Evening with Berry Gordy, An Evening with Valerie Jarrett
– Received a Chicago Emmy Award for her 1988 performance in the PBS Special: Precious Memories, Strolling 47th Street
– International Jazz performances: 7 times at North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague and Rotterdam, Netherlands; Sister Cities Festival in Osaka, Japan; Jazzcaar in Estonia; Jazz tour in Torino, Italy; World Music Festival in Rotterdam; Timeless Gifts performance tour in Milan, Italy