HIGHLIGHTS
- Competing in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN (January 2016)
Honored as "Best of 2014 Blues Breakers", Elwood's BluesMobile Radio (House of Blues Radio) (December 2014)
John Lennon Songwriting Contest Finalist (top three) for original song "Bad News Bears" (September 2014)
Won Billtown Blues Challenge, earning a spot on the main stage at the Billtown Blues Festival and a spot to compete in the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN in January 2016 (March 2015)
Toured with Grammy award-winner and Blues Hall of Fame Artist, Joe Louis Walker for a year and a half (2012-2014)
Debut album, "heart soul & saxophone" played on local and syndicated radio stations across the US and internationally:
Featured Blues Breaker Artist of the Week, Elwood's BluesMobile Radio (House of Blues Radio) (October 2014)
Best of 2014 Blues Breaker Artist, Elwood's BluesMobile Radio (House of Blues Radio) (December 2014)
Debut Album "heart soul & saxophone" debuts on Roots Music Report's Top 50 Blues Albums Charts (September 2014)
Original song, "Tongue Tied" debuts on Roots Music Report's Top 50 Blues Songs Charts (September 2014)
REVIEWS
““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””
“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. ”
“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.”
“This record completely caught me off guard and it floored me”
“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.”
MUSIC
MUSIC VIDEO (IN STUDIO)
LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEOS
BIO
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 on Dan Aykroyd’s House of Blues Radio Show (Elwood’s BluesMobile) as a Best of 2014 Blues Breaker Featured Artist. She was also selected as a top three finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition and, in March 2015, earned a coveted spot to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in 2016 by winning the 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. Vanessa’s powerful vocals, gritty saxophone solos, and incredible high-energy performance create a powerful show not to be missed!