As a master musician and multi-instrumentalist Vanessa Collier weaves funk, soul, rock, and blues into every powerful performance and she is downright impressive. With soulful vocals, searing saxophone, and witty songwriting, Vanessa is blazing a trail, racking up an impressive arsenal of honours, and has already singled herself out as an artist of distinction and one we would all do well to watch.
It's not simply the accolades she has accumulated so far, although they've been many -- two Blues Music Awards for "Horn Player of the Year", and a third BMA for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year", eight Blues Music Award Nominations (BMAs), a Blues Blast Award nomination, the Jammingest Pro Award bestowed by the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, First Place for lyrics in the International Songwriting Competition, Best of 2014 Blues Breaker on Dan Aykroyd's BluesMobile -- it's the fact that she has accumulated all these honours even while her career is still in its infancy. A 2013 graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she's toured nationally and internationally, released four critically acclaimed albums (2014's Heart, Soul & Saxophone, 2017's Meeting My Shadow, and 2018's Honey Up, 2020's Heart On The Line. Honey Up spent 9 weeks atop the Billboard Blues Album Charts Top 15, 3 months on the Living Blues Charts at #10 and #23, and continues to be spun on Sirius XM's B.B. King's Bluesville radio station!
Having first picked up the saxophone at the age of nine, Collier embarked on her road to recognition at Berklee, earning dual degrees in Performance and Music Production & Engineering. While still completing her degree, Collier landed a position touring with Joe Louis Walker for a year and a half before Joe encouraged her to strike out on her own. And strike out she did.
These days, Collier spends much of her time on the road, performing at some of the most prestigious music festivals in the world. Her talents have taken her to the Blues Music Awards Show where, in the words of the Blues Foundation, Vanessa "blew the doors off the Blues Music Awards!"; Ottawa Blues Festival, where she earned two front page newspaper photos and rave reviews after her foot stomping debut there; twice on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, where she earned the Jammingest Pro Award and was a featured artist with Tommy Castro's Blues Review; Briggs Farm Festival, where she was the "most popular Briggs Farm act in 2017" (Elmore Magazine), and the list continues. In 2017, Vanessa was also a featured artist in three major tours across Europe as part of Ruf's 2017 Blues Caravan.
Vanessa has won 3 Blues Music Awards - two for "Horn Player of the Year" in 2019 and 2020 and one in 2022 for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year"!! She has been nominated for eight Blues Music Awards since 2017, which puts her in elite company with artists such as Beth Hart, Samantha Fish, Shemekia Copeland, Ruthie Foster, Trombone Shorty, Al Basile, and Jimmy Carpenter.
As for Collier, she says she's happy performing on stages across the world, hoping that she can make a difference with fans and followers along the way. "I am driven to do this because I find it a total form of expression and connection," she explains. "I love connecting with an audience and feeling their energy and I hope to inspire people to follow their dreams and passions, to find what brings them joy, and then to pursue it doggedly."
~~~~~~~~~
Vanessa Collier is a captivating and multitalented blues vocalist, saxophonist, and songwriter, hailing from the world-renowned Berklee College of Music where she earned dual degrees in Performance and Music Production & Engineering. Prior to releasing her debut album in August 2014, Vanessa spent a year and a half touring in the U.S. and internationally with Grammy Award-winning, Blues Hall of Fame Artist Joe Louis Walker. Vanessa has also played alongside Annie Lennox, Kathy Mattea, Willie Nelson, and other notable artists.
Most recently, Vanessa was honored as a top three finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition for her original song "Bad News Bears", was featured as Elwood's Blues Breaker Featured Artist of the week in October 2014, and subsequently honored as an elite Best of 2014 Blues Breaker (Elwood's BluesMobile House of Blues Radio) in December 2014. In March 2015, Vanessa also earned a spot to compete in the International Blues Challenge (in 2016) by winning the statewide Billtown Blues Challenge.
On her debut album, heart soul & saxophone, Vanessa demonstrates her skills as a master musician and songwriter, blending her blues background with elements of funk, rock, and soul as she reveals her musical prowess, effortlessly transitioning from songs full of fiery, powerful vocals and gritty saxophone solos to soul-stirring ballads packed with raw emotion. Rounding out her dynamic band are standout Berklee musicians: Eric Finland (keys), Jordan Rose (drums), Justin Schornstein (bass), and Noé Socha (guitar and harmonica).
"A young woman named Vanessa Collier has issued her first album called HEART SOUL AND SAXOPHONE. She wrote all but two of the songs, sings 'em, and plays some magnificent sax as well. Coming out of the famous Berklee School of Music in Boston, Vanessa spent some time on the road with bluesman Joe Louis Walker, among others, and is now poised to unleash herself on the world. Old school blues, jump and jive, and some sunny new school R&B" - The BluesMobile (Elwood's Blues Breaker - House of Blues Radio)
"Vanessa Collier is the coolest young artist on the scene today; when she is on stage, all eyes are on her. Vanessa's incredible talent, stage presence, and enchanting personality have made her one of the most important tastemakers of her generation. " - Stephen Webber, Berklee/The Scratch Ambassadors
"Vocalist, saxophonist Collier has an alluring voice and style that covers a lot of territory: blues rock, funk and soul blues, and soft soul jazz. Her sax playing is solid as well. She composed half of the songs on this disc and offers some convincing covers particularly "I Can't Stand The Rain" and "God Bless The Child". Collier is a promising newcomer. Check her out on this debut and keep an ear out." - Dave Rogers, WTJU 91.1 FM
"This record completely caught me off guard and it floored me" - Johnny Fulltime, Fulltime Blues Radio
"Vanessa herself, left me with jaws agape. First her voice. Powerful yet under control. A feeling for the BLUES and when she puts the horn to her lips and BLOWS, man o man o man." - Al Kanovsky, Jazz & Blues Florida
show less
It's not simply the accolades she has accumulated so far, although they've been many -- two Blues Music Awards for "Horn Player of the Year", and a third BMA for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year", eight Blues Music Award Nominations (BMAs), a Blues Blast Award nomination, the Jammingest Pro Award bestowed by the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, First Place for lyrics in the International Songwriting Competition, Best of 2014 Blues Breaker on Dan Aykroyd's BluesMobile -- it's the fact that she has accumulated all these honours even while her career is still in its infancy. A 2013 graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she's toured nationally and internationally, released four critically acclaimed albums (2014's Heart, Soul & Saxophone, 2017's Meeting My Shadow, and 2018's Honey Up, 2020's Heart On The Line. Honey Up spent 9 weeks atop the Billboard Blues Album Charts Top 15, 3 months on the Living Blues Charts at #10 and #23, and continues to be spun on Sirius XM's B.B. King's Bluesville radio station!
Having first picked up the saxophone at the age of nine, Collier embarked on her road to recognition at Berklee, earning dual degrees in Performance and Music Production & Engineering. While still completing her degree, Collier landed a position touring with Joe Louis Walker for a year and a half before Joe encouraged her to strike out on her own. And strike out she did.
These days, Collier spends much of her time on the road, performing at some of the most prestigious music festivals in the world. Her talents have taken her to the Blues Music Awards Show where, in the words of the Blues Foundation, Vanessa "blew the doors off the Blues Music Awards!"; Ottawa Blues Festival, where she earned two front page newspaper photos and rave reviews after her foot stomping debut there; twice on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, where she earned the Jammingest Pro Award and was a featured artist with Tommy Castro's Blues Review; Briggs Farm Festival, where she was the "most popular Briggs Farm act in 2017" (Elmore Magazine), and the list continues. In 2017, Vanessa was also a featured artist in three major tours across Europe as part of Ruf's 2017 Blues Caravan.
Vanessa has won 3 Blues Music Awards - two for "Horn Player of the Year" in 2019 and 2020 and one in 2022 for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year"!! She has been nominated for eight Blues Music Awards since 2017, which puts her in elite company with artists such as Beth Hart, Samantha Fish, Shemekia Copeland, Ruthie Foster, Trombone Shorty, Al Basile, and Jimmy Carpenter.
As for Collier, she says she's happy performing on stages across the world, hoping that she can make a difference with fans and followers along the way. "I am driven to do this because I find it a total form of expression and connection," she explains. "I love connecting with an audience and feeling their energy and I hope to inspire people to follow their dreams and passions, to find what brings them joy, and then to pursue it doggedly."
~~~~~~~~~
Vanessa Collier is a captivating and multitalented blues vocalist, saxophonist, and songwriter, hailing from the world-renowned Berklee College of Music where she earned dual degrees in Performance and Music Production & Engineering. Prior to releasing her debut album in August 2014, Vanessa spent a year and a half touring in the U.S. and internationally with Grammy Award-winning, Blues Hall of Fame Artist Joe Louis Walker. Vanessa has also played alongside Annie Lennox, Kathy Mattea, Willie Nelson, and other notable artists.
Most recently, Vanessa was honored as a top three finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition for her original song "Bad News Bears", was featured as Elwood's Blues Breaker Featured Artist of the week in October 2014, and subsequently honored as an elite Best of 2014 Blues Breaker (Elwood's BluesMobile House of Blues Radio) in December 2014. In March 2015, Vanessa also earned a spot to compete in the International Blues Challenge (in 2016) by winning the statewide Billtown Blues Challenge.
On her debut album, heart soul & saxophone, Vanessa demonstrates her skills as a master musician and songwriter, blending her blues background with elements of funk, rock, and soul as she reveals her musical prowess, effortlessly transitioning from songs full of fiery, powerful vocals and gritty saxophone solos to soul-stirring ballads packed with raw emotion. Rounding out her dynamic band are standout Berklee musicians: Eric Finland (keys), Jordan Rose (drums), Justin Schornstein (bass), and Noé Socha (guitar and harmonica).
"A young woman named Vanessa Collier has issued her first album called HEART SOUL AND SAXOPHONE. She wrote all but two of the songs, sings 'em, and plays some magnificent sax as well. Coming out of the famous Berklee School of Music in Boston, Vanessa spent some time on the road with bluesman Joe Louis Walker, among others, and is now poised to unleash herself on the world. Old school blues, jump and jive, and some sunny new school R&B" - The BluesMobile (Elwood's Blues Breaker - House of Blues Radio)
"Vanessa Collier is the coolest young artist on the scene today; when she is on stage, all eyes are on her. Vanessa's incredible talent, stage presence, and enchanting personality have made her one of the most important tastemakers of her generation. " - Stephen Webber, Berklee/The Scratch Ambassadors
"Vocalist, saxophonist Collier has an alluring voice and style that covers a lot of territory: blues rock, funk and soul blues, and soft soul jazz. Her sax playing is solid as well. She composed half of the songs on this disc and offers some convincing covers particularly "I Can't Stand The Rain" and "God Bless The Child". Collier is a promising newcomer. Check her out on this debut and keep an ear out." - Dave Rogers, WTJU 91.1 FM
"This record completely caught me off guard and it floored me" - Johnny Fulltime, Fulltime Blues Radio
"Vanessa herself, left me with jaws agape. First her voice. Powerful yet under control. A feeling for the BLUES and when she puts the horn to her lips and BLOWS, man o man o man." - Al Kanovsky, Jazz & Blues Florida
As a master musician and multi-instrumentalist Vanessa Collier weaves funk, soul, rock, and blues into every powerful performance and she is downright impressive. With soulful vocals, searing saxophone, and witty songwriting, Vanessa is blazing a trail, racking up an impressive arsenal of honours, and has already singled herself out as an artist of distinction and one we would all do well to watch.
It's not simply the accolades she has accumulated so far, although they've been many -- two Blues Music Awards for "Horn Player of the Year", and a third BMA for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year", eight Blues Music Award Nominations (BMAs), a Blues Blast Award nomination, the Jammingest Pro Award bestowed by the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, First Place for lyrics in the International Songwriting Competition, Best of 2014 Blues Breaker on Dan Aykroyd's BluesMobile -- it's the fact that she has accumulated all these honours even while her career is still in its infancy. A 2013 graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she's toured nationally and internationally, released four critically acclaimed albums (2014's Heart, Soul & Saxophone, 2017's Meeting My Shadow, and 2018's Honey Up, 2020's Heart On The Line. Honey Up spent 9 weeks atop the Billboard Blues Album Charts Top 15, 3 months on the Living Blues Charts at #10 and #23, and continues to be spun on Sirius XM's B.B. King's Bluesville radio station!
Having first picked up the saxophone at the age of nine, Collier embarked on her road to recognition at Berklee, earning dual degrees in Performance and Music Production & Engineering. While still completing her degree, Collier landed a position touring with Joe Louis Walker for a year and a half before Joe encouraged her to strike out on her own. And strike out she did.
These days, Collier spends much of her time on the road, performing at some of the most prestigious music festivals in the world. Her talents have taken her to the Blues Music Awards Show where, in the words of the Blues Foundation, Vanessa "blew the doors off the Blues Music Awards!"; Ottawa Blues Festival, where she earned two front page newspaper photos and rave reviews after her foot stomping debut there; twice on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, where she earned the Jammingest Pro Award and was a featured artist with Tommy Castro's Blues Review; Briggs Farm Festival, where she was the "most popular Briggs Farm act in 2017" (Elmore Magazine), and the list continues. In 2017, Vanessa was also a featured artist in three major tours across Europe as part of Ruf's 2017 Blues Caravan.
Vanessa has won 3 Blues Music Awards - two for "Horn Player of the Year" in 2019 and 2020 and one in 2022 for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year"!! She has been nominated for eight Blues Music Awards since 2017, which puts her in elite company with artists such as Beth Hart, Samantha Fish, Shemekia Copeland, Ruthie Foster, Trombone Shorty, Al Basile, and Jimmy Carpenter.
As for Collier, she says she's happy performing on stages across the world, hoping that she can make a difference with fans and followers along the way. "I am driven to do this because I find it a total form of expression and connection," she explains. "I love connecting with an audience and feeling their energy and I hope to inspire people to follow their dreams and passions, to find what brings them joy, and then to pursue it doggedly."
~~~~~~~~~
Vanessa Collier is a captivating and multitalented blues vocalist, saxophonist, and songwriter, hailing from the world-renowned Berklee College of Music where she earned dual degrees in Performance and Music Production & Engineering. Prior to releasing her debut album in August 2014, Vanessa spent a year and a half touring in the U.S. and internationally with Grammy Award-winning, Blues Hall of Fame Artist Joe Louis Walker. Vanessa has also played alongside Annie Lennox, Kathy Mattea, Willie Nelson, and other notable artists.
Most recently, Vanessa was honored as a top three finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition for her original song "Bad News Bears", was featured as Elwood's Blues Breaker Featured Artist of the week in October 2014, and subsequently honored as an elite Best of 2014 Blues Breaker (Elwood's BluesMobile House of Blues Radio) in December 2014. In March 2015, Vanessa also earned a spot to compete in the International Blues Challenge (in 2016) by winning the statewide Billtown Blues Challenge.
On her debut album, heart soul & saxophone, Vanessa demonstrates her skills as a master musician and songwriter, blending her blues background with elements of funk, rock, and soul as she reveals her musical prowess, effortlessly transitioning from songs full of fiery, powerful vocals and gritty saxophone solos to soul-stirring ballads packed with raw emotion. Rounding out her dynamic band are standout Berklee musicians: Eric Finland (keys), Jordan Rose (drums), Justin Schornstein (bass), and Noé Socha (guitar and harmonica).
"A young woman named Vanessa Collier has issued her first album called HEART SOUL AND SAXOPHONE. She wrote all but two of the songs, sings 'em, and plays some magnificent sax as well. Coming out of the famous Berklee School of Music in Boston, Vanessa spent some time on the road with bluesman Joe Louis Walker, among others, and is now poised to unleash herself on the world. Old school blues, jump and jive, and some sunny new school R&B" - The BluesMobile (Elwood's Blues Breaker - House of Blues Radio)
"Vanessa Collier is the coolest young artist on the scene today; when she is on stage, all eyes are on her. Vanessa's incredible talent, stage presence, and enchanting personality have made her one of the most important tastemakers of her generation. " - Stephen Webber, Berklee/The Scratch Ambassadors
"Vocalist, saxophonist Collier has an alluring voice and style that covers a lot of territory: blues rock, funk and soul blues, and soft soul jazz. Her sax playing is solid as well. She composed half of the songs on this disc and offers some convincing covers particularly "I Can't Stand The Rain" and "God Bless The Child". Collier is a promising newcomer. Check her out on this debut and keep an ear out." - Dave Rogers, WTJU 91.1 FM
"This record completely caught me off guard and it floored me" - Johnny Fulltime, Fulltime Blues Radio
"Vanessa herself, left me with jaws agape. First her voice. Powerful yet under control. A feeling for the BLUES and when she puts the horn to her lips and BLOWS, man o man o man." - Al Kanovsky, Jazz & Blues Florida
read more
It's not simply the accolades she has accumulated so far, although they've been many -- two Blues Music Awards for "Horn Player of the Year", and a third BMA for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year", eight Blues Music Award Nominations (BMAs), a Blues Blast Award nomination, the Jammingest Pro Award bestowed by the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, First Place for lyrics in the International Songwriting Competition, Best of 2014 Blues Breaker on Dan Aykroyd's BluesMobile -- it's the fact that she has accumulated all these honours even while her career is still in its infancy. A 2013 graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she's toured nationally and internationally, released four critically acclaimed albums (2014's Heart, Soul & Saxophone, 2017's Meeting My Shadow, and 2018's Honey Up, 2020's Heart On The Line. Honey Up spent 9 weeks atop the Billboard Blues Album Charts Top 15, 3 months on the Living Blues Charts at #10 and #23, and continues to be spun on Sirius XM's B.B. King's Bluesville radio station!
Having first picked up the saxophone at the age of nine, Collier embarked on her road to recognition at Berklee, earning dual degrees in Performance and Music Production & Engineering. While still completing her degree, Collier landed a position touring with Joe Louis Walker for a year and a half before Joe encouraged her to strike out on her own. And strike out she did.
These days, Collier spends much of her time on the road, performing at some of the most prestigious music festivals in the world. Her talents have taken her to the Blues Music Awards Show where, in the words of the Blues Foundation, Vanessa "blew the doors off the Blues Music Awards!"; Ottawa Blues Festival, where she earned two front page newspaper photos and rave reviews after her foot stomping debut there; twice on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, where she earned the Jammingest Pro Award and was a featured artist with Tommy Castro's Blues Review; Briggs Farm Festival, where she was the "most popular Briggs Farm act in 2017" (Elmore Magazine), and the list continues. In 2017, Vanessa was also a featured artist in three major tours across Europe as part of Ruf's 2017 Blues Caravan.
Vanessa has won 3 Blues Music Awards - two for "Horn Player of the Year" in 2019 and 2020 and one in 2022 for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year"!! She has been nominated for eight Blues Music Awards since 2017, which puts her in elite company with artists such as Beth Hart, Samantha Fish, Shemekia Copeland, Ruthie Foster, Trombone Shorty, Al Basile, and Jimmy Carpenter.
As for Collier, she says she's happy performing on stages across the world, hoping that she can make a difference with fans and followers along the way. "I am driven to do this because I find it a total form of expression and connection," she explains. "I love connecting with an audience and feeling their energy and I hope to inspire people to follow their dreams and passions, to find what brings them joy, and then to pursue it doggedly."
~~~~~~~~~
Vanessa Collier is a captivating and multitalented blues vocalist, saxophonist, and songwriter, hailing from the world-renowned Berklee College of Music where she earned dual degrees in Performance and Music Production & Engineering. Prior to releasing her debut album in August 2014, Vanessa spent a year and a half touring in the U.S. and internationally with Grammy Award-winning, Blues Hall of Fame Artist Joe Louis Walker. Vanessa has also played alongside Annie Lennox, Kathy Mattea, Willie Nelson, and other notable artists.
Most recently, Vanessa was honored as a top three finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition for her original song "Bad News Bears", was featured as Elwood's Blues Breaker Featured Artist of the week in October 2014, and subsequently honored as an elite Best of 2014 Blues Breaker (Elwood's BluesMobile House of Blues Radio) in December 2014. In March 2015, Vanessa also earned a spot to compete in the International Blues Challenge (in 2016) by winning the statewide Billtown Blues Challenge.
On her debut album, heart soul & saxophone, Vanessa demonstrates her skills as a master musician and songwriter, blending her blues background with elements of funk, rock, and soul as she reveals her musical prowess, effortlessly transitioning from songs full of fiery, powerful vocals and gritty saxophone solos to soul-stirring ballads packed with raw emotion. Rounding out her dynamic band are standout Berklee musicians: Eric Finland (keys), Jordan Rose (drums), Justin Schornstein (bass), and Noé Socha (guitar and harmonica).
"A young woman named Vanessa Collier has issued her first album called HEART SOUL AND SAXOPHONE. She wrote all but two of the songs, sings 'em, and plays some magnificent sax as well. Coming out of the famous Berklee School of Music in Boston, Vanessa spent some time on the road with bluesman Joe Louis Walker, among others, and is now poised to unleash herself on the world. Old school blues, jump and jive, and some sunny new school R&B" - The BluesMobile (Elwood's Blues Breaker - House of Blues Radio)
"Vanessa Collier is the coolest young artist on the scene today; when she is on stage, all eyes are on her. Vanessa's incredible talent, stage presence, and enchanting personality have made her one of the most important tastemakers of her generation. " - Stephen Webber, Berklee/The Scratch Ambassadors
"Vocalist, saxophonist Collier has an alluring voice and style that covers a lot of territory: blues rock, funk and soul blues, and soft soul jazz. Her sax playing is solid as well. She composed half of the songs on this disc and offers some convincing covers particularly "I Can't Stand The Rain" and "God Bless The Child". Collier is a promising newcomer. Check her out on this debut and keep an ear out." - Dave Rogers, WTJU 91.1 FM
"This record completely caught me off guard and it floored me" - Johnny Fulltime, Fulltime Blues Radio
"Vanessa herself, left me with jaws agape. First her voice. Powerful yet under control. A feeling for the BLUES and when she puts the horn to her lips and BLOWS, man o man o man." - Al Kanovsky, Jazz & Blues Florida
show less
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Sweetwater Music Hall
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19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
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