The death has occurred of the fiddle player, Pat Collins, who worked chiefly in the rock and jazz fields through a distinguished five-decade music career.
The musician died at home yesterday (Tuesday) and is survived by his wife Maria, his three daughters and his grandson.
Collins first came to prominence with the trad-rock band Mushroom in the early 1970s. Aonghus McAnally, guitarist with that band, has fondly recalled the musician on Twitter.
Can't believe all the bad news these past few days. So so sad to hear that Pat Collins has died. Our days together in Mushroom were such fun pic.twitter.com/ATMiaKBrW4
— Aonghus McAnally (@AonghusMcAnally) January 7, 2020
Thereafter the related gypsy jazz / Hot Club de France genre became Collins' particular forte, notably with the Phantom Orchestra, where he lit up the room with fluid extemporising on a melody, a style associated particularly with the late Stephane Grappelli.
Collins was later a leading light in the band Hotfoot, where his cohorts in the mid-1980s included lead guitarist Jimmy Faulkner, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Gibson, pianist Dave McHale, drummer Robbie Brennan, and bassist Declan McNeilis, all of whom predeceased the fiddle and viola player.
Cafe Orchestra band Ireland https://t.co/0xcfhaupJR via @YouTube. So sad to hear this morning that the amazing Pat Collins died. A great musician and a genius.
— Pat Shortt (@Pat_Shortt) January 8, 2020
He encouraged younger fiddle players and was a great mentor to beginners as they struggled with scales and all that goes with the learning. Colm McCaughey, fiddle-player with the bands Interference and Hank Halfhead and the Rambling Turkeys, credits Collins with early encouragement and assistance.
We say goodbye to Pat Collins. Wonderful genius , beautiful man. I'm Confessin' - HOTFOOT https://t.co/m3z1g250IR via @YouTube
— mike hanrahan (@mikehanrahan58) January 7, 2020
Unstinting with his talent, the genial musician guested with many Irish bands, and occasionally with Scullion to whose gigs he brought an irrepressible, blissful spirit in the 1980s.
"Pat was a real inspiration, " tweeted Steve Wickham, fiddle player with The Waterboys. "I first saw him play with Mushroom in '74. Pat was electric and a real trailblazer. Generous to us who wanted to see how he did what he did." Collins founded the Café Orchestra in 1993, the year which also saw the release of his solo album project, Camillus - An Irish Concerto, which he recorded with Jump the Gun's Peter Eades.
Just heard the sad news about the passing of Pat Collins the great Dublin Fiddler. Pat was a real inspiration. I first saw him play with Mushroom in '74. Pat was electric and a real trailblazer. Generous to us who wanted to see how he did what he did. So Long dude pic.twitter.com/fY6gQezSaM
— Steve Wickham (@stevewickham) January 7, 2020
Violinist Pat Collins tearing into swing classic "Sweet Sue" with the band Hotfoot. Sad news of his death this morning. pic.twitter.com/vUwJr3tgIZ
— Peter Reid (@peterkinvara) January 8, 2020
