Jazz legend Eleanor Collins adds to list of honours with unveiling of Canada Post stamp

Even after breakingseveral barriers to become known as Canada's first lady of jazz,Eleanor Collinssays it's still "surreal" to see herself featured on a stamp.

"My picture on a postage stamp? Can you repeat that?" the 102-year-oldasked jokingly."You know, it's just so surreal."

The commemorative stamp of the singer was unveiled virtually on Friday morning by Canada Post.

Collins was celebrated by former colleagues and artists who have been influenced by her work, including Nalda Callender of the National Congress of Black Women Foundation, filmmaker Sylvia Hamilton, and musicians Sharman King, Marcus Moselyand Wendy Solloway.

The stamp features a close-up of Collins's face as illustrated by David Belliveau, based on a photograph byFranz Lindner a former co-worker and friend of the singer from her days working at CBC.

She wears a white collared blouse, andher ears are adorned with matching gemstones as she gazes off to her left. A smaller silhouette to the side of the image shows her at the microphone, head tilted back in mid-song.

Collins says she was impressed by how Belliveauwas able to capture her essence just by looking at the photograph.

"It just took my breath away. It was so stunning, so striking," she said.

Groundbreaking artist

Born in Edmonton butnow livingin British Columbia, Collins began performing in the 1930s on television and radio shows across the country. She'sworked with a range of famous musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie and Montreal-born jazz pianist Oscar Peterson.

In 1954, Collinsbecame part of the first interracial cast on Canadian television when she joined CBC'stelevisionprogramBamboula: A Day in the West Indies. A year later, she starred inThe Eleanor Show,which made her the first woman and first Black artist to headline their own national television series.

WATCH | A look back at the life of Eleanor Collins when she turned 100:

Eleanor Collins, Canada's first lady of jazz, turns 100

5 years ago

Duration 3:04

At 100 years of age, Canadian jazz icon Eleanor Collins has one mantra just take it one day at a time.

Looking back on her career, Collins says music helped bring the Black community together and providedcomfort during what were troubling times.

"I see for my people, it was a ... safe place to live, a safe place to be together because the harsh world outside there do not approve of us," she said.

Collins says her goal was never to win awards orhonoursbut just to be someoneothers could look up to.

That's her message now to other Canadians.

"Bring your very best, every day of your life," she said. "Let history tell you what it wasthey thought they saw."

On her 95th birthday in 2014, Collins was invested into the Order of Canada for being "a civic leader and pioneer in the development of British Columbia's music industry."

To hear a full interview and music from Eleanor Collins, listen to Hot Air with Margaret GallagheronSaturday, Jan 22.