baba collins

Kevin Collins is a well-respected percussionist both locally and throughout the country, who has played one form of percussion instrument or another since he was 6 years old. Having had no formal training, at such a young age, Kevin used pots and pans in his mother’s kitchen for Drums. While attending Flint Public Schools, Kevin mastered his already distinguished percussion skills, and after graduating from Flint Northern High School, Kevin began to tour with such musical legends as:  Ronnie Laws, Allan Barnes, Jack McDuff, Roy Ayers, Eddie Harris, Leon Thomas, Wendell Harris, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Jimmy Smith, Marcus Bell Graves, Sule Greg Wilson, The Willie George Big Band, and Reverend James Cleveland, King, Sundiata Keita and Kankouran West African Dance Company.  Kevin’s musical spectrum includes all forms of music, Jazz, Blues Big Band, Latin and Caribbean Styling.

As Kevin continued to pursue his musical career and dreams, he began to embark on a new focus:  that of the African, Caribbean, and Cuban Drums.    His passion and experience overflows to all ages of audiences.  Kevin went on to create Kuungana African Drum and Dance Company and the non-profit group African Drum and Dance Parent Association.  Kevin’s energy, enthusiasm, and sense of community are what drive him to share and teach his expertise to all that are interested.  He believes in the African proverb, “It Takes A Village To Raise A Child”.  In doing so through his teachings, all are inspired to learn, rehearse and perform to the best of their abilities.  Both children and adults have found Kevin’s performances to be entertaining cultural and educational as they learn about and how to play African, Cuban, and Caribbean Drums while anxiously awaiting to get their chance to play.  In his “Artists Statement”:  Kevin states that his success as a musician is what drives him to want to educate and give back to the children in his community. 

Kevin has worked with the Greater Flint Arts Council, The Flint Community Schools, After School Programs in several schools in Genesee County, Saginaw Public Schools, Detroit Public Schools, Clio Schools, Carman Ainsworth Schools, The Very Special Arts Program/Kennedy Center, The Flint Cultural Center, The New McCree Theater, the Historic Masonic Temple, the Flint Development Center and many other Michigan schools and organizations.  He holds various workshops and performances throughout Michigan such as at the Idlewild Music Fest, Detroit City Festival, Detroit African World Festival, Saginaw African Cultural Festival, Heritage Works-Detroit, Taste Fest in Detroit, Farm Fest in Johannesburg, Wheatland Festival, Flint Tapology Festival, Flint Juneteenth Parade and the Flint Jazz Festival and so many more.  He continually tours throughout the country for performances and or workshops.

He works with Kankouran West African Company from Washington D.C. for performances and workshops.  His group the Kuungana Drum and Dance Company and Kankouran West African Dance Company from D.C. does an annual workshop/conference at The Flint Development Center in Flint showcasing his student’s skills.

He has been an instructor with VSA Michigan for more than eighteen years, working with and performing for youth and adults throughout Michigan, the U.S. and in Mexico.  He was a presenter at the 2000 VSA International Festival in Los Angeles, and at the 2010 VSA International Festival in Washington, DC, where he presented the VSA Michigan arts JAM Percussion Ensemble in performance at the Smithsonian Discovery Theatre on June 8, 2010.

The following is a condensed list of some of his achievements and awards:

He was awarded two Kevin Collins’ Days

He was awarded the Key to the City – Flint

He owns his own production company (K.C. Productions)

He wrote and produced two CD’s “RHYTHMOLOGIST” and “NAIROBI”.  His music producer is Marshall Block from Reel 2 Reel

He has a recording contract with Resource Sound in the U.K.

He is featured in the Michigan Arts Directory and the Heartland Arts Directory as well.

He wrote a song that was used in the movie “THE LOVE GURU” and the “FIGHTER”.

He received the VSA – Educator of the Year Award – June 8, 2012 and did a performance at the VSA Arts International Festival at Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. with 20 of his students.

He received the Opportunity to Develop Life Skills Award at the Children’s Champion Breakfast on February 8, 2019 at the River Front Banquet Center in Flint.

After performing the very first Bach piece he learned as a child, world renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma asked Baba Kevin to join him for a second piece.  The performance happened on March 7, 2019 at the Berston Field House in Flint.