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Judy Collins has inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal lifetriumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steelydetermination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, herluminescent presence shines brightly as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 50-album body ofwork, and heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century.The award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional andcontemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions. Her stunning renditionof Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into theGrammy Hall of Fame. Judy’s dreamy and sweetly intimate version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad writtenby Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music,won "Song of the Year” at the 1975Grammy Awards. She’s garnered several top-ten hits gold- and platinum-selling albums. Recently,contemporary and classic artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, andLeonard Cohen honored her legacy with the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.Judy began her impressive music career at 13 as a piano prodigy dazzling audiences performing Mozart's“Concerto for Two Pianos,” but the hardluck tales and rugged sensitivity of folk revival music by artists suchas Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger seduced her away from a life as a concert pianist. Her path pointed to alifelong love affair with the guitar and pursuit of emotional truth in lyrics. The focus and regimented practiceof classical music, however, would be a source of strength to her inner core as she navigated the highs andlows of the music business.In 1961, she released her masterful debut, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, which featured interpretative worksof social poets of the time such as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Tom Paxton. This began a wonderfully fertilethirty-five year creative relationship with Jac Holzman and Elektra Records. Around this time Judy becamea tastemaker within the thriving Greenwich Village folk community, and brought other singer-songwriters toa wider audience, including poet/musician Leonard Cohen – and musicians Joni Mitchell and RandyNewman. Throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and up to the present, she has remained a vital artist,enriching her catalog with critically acclaimed albums while balancing a robust touring schedule.Prolific as ever, Judy recorded a DVD special Judy Collins: A Love Letter To Stephen Sondheim, in herhometown of Denver, CO. Along with the Greely Philharmonic Orchestra, Judy dazzled the audience withSondheim’s beautiful songs and her lovely, radiant voice. DVD and CD companion will be released in early2017. Judy also released a collaborative album in June 2016, Silver Skies Blue, with writing partner, AriHest. Silver Skies Blue has been GRAMMY nominated for BEST FOLK ALBUM in 2017, this is the firstGRAMMY nomination for Collins in over 40 years.
