Background
Collins was born in Chicago, Illinois.
Collins was born in Chicago, Illinois.
During this interim, he restored cars, and in the 70"s tap dance began to experience a revival. At the urging of people like Tina Pratt and Stanley Brown, he came out of retirement and began to teach. In 1976, he opened a studio with Boston"s First Lady of Jazz, Mae Arnette.
Leon and three of his students, Clara Brosnaham "Central Bank" Hetherington, Dianne Walker and Pamela Raff opened the Leon Collins Dance Studio Incorporated.
During this time, Leon formed a company with his students and Joan Hill (pianist). Leon Collins & Company performed mainly in the New England area from 1982 until his untimely death in 1985.
He had a few bit parts in the movies and is known for his exceptional tap dancing and teaching. He was best known for his work with jazz and bebop and in his latter years his work with classical music, in particular, his rendition of "Flight of the Bumblebee".
A documentary produced by David Wadsworth, Songs Unwritten, was filmed about Collins and released shortly after his death.
He died of lung cancer in Boston 1985.