KIKU COLLINS (TRUMPET, FLUGELHORN)

Kiku has been Beyonce Knowles trumpet player since June of 2006. You can check out some video links or great photos from this and other projects!
"Here With Me", a flugelhorn instrumental album featuring oodles of multitracking (on the flugelhorn, muted trumpet and trombone!) is available at www.innova.mu, www.cdbaby.com and itunes, and on April 10th, the official release date, it will be available in many more places!
Ms. Collins is a very proud mother to an amazing, beautiful daughter, who also loves playing the trumpet! Look out, world!
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cornet, Valve Trombone, Vocals, and actress!
This former "Jersey Girl" found her way from a small northern NJ town to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, after doing a 2 summer stint at their National Music Camp. From there, she went on to study classical performance at Manhattan School of Music. Her mentor, Mr. Mel Broiles, always encouraged her, as one of the few female trumpet players trying to survive in a man's world. He always encouraged her to pursue her dreams, and his voice has echoed in her head every time she wanted to give up.
Whether you hear Ms. Collins on the television or radio, with mega-pop stars or local NYC acts, one thing is crystal clear; her passion and love for life come through in her sound, her voice, her eyes, her soul.
Kiku has also been a personal trainer for almost 10 years. She has lost a significant amount of weight and kept it off for so many years, while building muscle, strength, and flexibility to her body, mind and spirit.
She still trains privately when time permits. Home training with a few inexpensive items is easy and practical. Kiku integrates her technical knowledge of the body and how it functions, form, balance, and nutrition. This multi-faceted approach makes her a clear choice to not only become your personal trainer, but a health coach. Many trainers want a committment of 3 sessions a week. Kiku will see you one time if that's all you desire, and she will strive to teach you as much as you can possibly take in to improve your health. And will encourage you to learn and grow and improve however you can, with her or alone.
What's in a name?
For those who wonder what "Kiku" means, it is Japanese for Chrysanthemum. So, for those of you out there trying to win the heart of the Ninja Princess, that would be the flower of choice. :)
 

KIKU COLLINS - HERE WITH ME (2007)

Smooth jazz, jazz, flugelhorn

Kiku Collins - Flugelhorn, valve trombone, muted trumpet

Julian Harris - Guitar

Tony Graci - Drums

Nick Cudahy - Acoustic Bass

Jorge Bringas- Acoustic-Electric Bass

Steve Shapiro - Vibraphone

Alex Alexander - Percussion

Manuel Carro- Percussion

Andy Ezrin - Piano

Trevor Exter - Cello

Greg Hirte - Violin

Jay Rodriguez - Flute

Tani Trentlyon - Vocals

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels