From defending civil rights to performing on a national stage, Antoine L. Collins is a Lowertown treasure!

By the Lowertown Echo team

American-born singer, songwriter, entertainer, lawyer, and adjudicator, Antoine L. Collins has never fit neatly into a box. He moves effortlessly from the courtroom to the concert stage with the same passion and purpose. He and his partner, retired Foreign Service officer Allen Brown, have called Ottawa’s Lowertown West home since 2009.

Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, Antoine’s early life was steeped in the sounds of gospel, jazz, and soul influences. But before pursuing the stage, he followed another calling: the law. After earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, he was called to the Maryland Bar and began his legal career as a prosecutor for the City of Baltimore, focusing on criminal justice and civil rights. “Those early years taught me a lot about people, fairness, and empathy,” Antoine reflects. “That understanding of humanity finds its way into everything I do including my music.”  

Today, Antoine serves as an adjudicator for the Refugee Protection Division with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, where he continues to champion equity and representation. He co-founded the Board’s Black Employee Network and serves as its Champion for Black Employees. Deeply engaged in the legal community, Antoine is the immediate past-President of the National Capital Region chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), and an active member of both the Ontario Bar Association and the County of Carleton Law Association.

After marrying and relocating to Canada, Antoine rediscovered his first love, music. He began performing in musical theatre and jazz venues, earning recognition for his smooth vocal tone and charismatic stage presence. In 2015, he released his debut album, Somewhere Along the Way, recorded in Tel Aviv. Since then, Antoine’s performances have captivated audiences. His appearances at the Ottawa Jazz Festival and elsewhere have made him a strong voice for diversity and inclusion in the arts. 

“Music has always been part of who I am,” he says. “I grew up surrounded by gospel, jazz, and soul, sounds that shaped me long before I ever thought about performing professionally. Music is about connection. It’s about telling stories that people can feel and relate to.”

Antoine’s upcoming album, Dinner at Antoine’s, to be released December 17, is his fourth full-length album and most personal project yet. Inspired by the many dinner parties he and Allen have hosted, the album captures the spirit of shared meals, laughter, and conversation.  “This album is about the kind of intimacy that happens around a dinner table,” Antoine explains. “Where stories are shared, laughter flows, and time slows down. Each song is something to savour.”  

Blending classic jazz influences with modern sensibilities, Dinner at Antoine’s showcases Antoine’s smooth vocals and lyrical storytelling. All but one of the songs are original compositions, reflecting moments from his personal and musical journey. The album will be available on all major streaming platforms.  

To celebrate the album’s release, Antoine returns to the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage on December 17th for his highly-anticipated holiday concert, It’s Christmas and I’m in Love.  

“The holidays are about connection and that’s what this concert is all about,” Antoine says. “It’s a celebration of love, gratitude, and the music that brings us together.” Tickets are on sale now through the NAC Box Office or online at https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/39655