PHOTO BY MARTIN GOETTSCH
Vanessa Collier, acclaimed soulful blues singer/saxophonist is back on tour, performing at a fund-raising, Pre-Lima Crossroads Festival Concert under the Big Tent, West Stage, at Fanatics Pub, 7281 West Main Street, Thursday, July 29. Thursday, July 29. Showtime: 7pm. Tickets: $30. Info: (585) 624-2080 or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vanessa-collier-band-with-the-nighthawks-tickets-160211421675. Also performing: The Nighthawks.
As a seven-time Blues Music Award (BMA) nominee and a two-time BMA Award Winner for Horn Player of the Year (2020 & 2019), Vanessa Collier is excited to kick off her 2021 tour in support of her critically acclaimed, self-produced fourth album, 2020 release, Heart on the Line. In addition to her BMA awards, Vanessa is also a multi award-winning songwriter, master musician, and multi-instrumentalist, known for seamlessly weaving together funk, soul, rock, and blues styles through soulful vocals, searing saxophone solos, and witty songwriting skills. With her career still in its infancy, Vanessa has already turned many heads, garnering tremendous accolades for her trademark high energy, powerful, fiery, and passionate live shows.
Collier started playing saxophone in the fourth grade and was in every school, all-county, and all-state band possible, while also playing AAU basketball, lettering all four years on her varsity basketball team, and graduating high school with honors. After high school, Vanessa earned a scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where she graduated with dual degrees in Performance and Music Production &; Engineering. Since graduating from Berklee, Vanessa has toured extensively, both nationally and internationally, and has released three critically acclaimed albums prior to Heart on the Line: 2014’s Heart, Soul & Saxophone; 2017’s Meeting My Shadow; and 2018’s Honey Up. Honey Up spent nine weeks on the Top 15 Billboard Charts, three months on the Living Blues Report, and is currently spinning on Sirius XM radio.
Vanessa 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 also takes that message to young people as she runs clinics across the country and is active with Blues in the Schools programs. At a recent Blues in the School program, Vanessa invited a stage full of elementary and middle school aged kids up to dance around her while she performed a blues shuffle. Watching the joy on the faces of Vanessa, the kids, and everyone in the auditorium, it is no wonder why Vanessa has become awe-inspiring to all who meet her. On top of talent and hard work, Vanessa shares an incredible heart and a strong purpose. To borrow from the words of an article in Blues Blast Magazine, “Vanessa is an important part of the future of the blues, and it would be cool too support her journey.”
PHOTO BY BETH VERMEER
“Heart On The Line”: What The Press Is Saying
“On Heart on the Line, Collier’s sax playing is beautifully smooth and mercurial, timed to perfection on her brief solo, utilized powerfully elsewhere to push and lift. Throughout this set, Collier’s band are dynamic, sympathetic and inventive. Heart on the Line is not only the product of a worthy, committed individual, it is a fine blues-rock album which you should definitely check out.“
“Heart on the Line features Collier’s sax playing, beautifully smooth and mercurial, timed to perfection on her brief solo, utilized powerfully elsewhere to push and lift. Collier gives much to the blues, not only via her music, but also through clinics which she runs as part of the “Blues in the Schools” project. Heart on the Line is not only the product of a worthy, committed individual, it is a fine blues-rock album which you should definitely check out.“
“Heart on the Line is Collier’s fourth album, and it makes clear why she has won the admiration not only of Joe Louis Walker, but also of Buddy Guy, who referred to her as “amazing”. She tells a good story and plays with a good deal of energy, whether she’s playing soul or blues. On top of that, she adds vocals that are both strong and smooth. This is not only a showcase for excellent musicians, but also the soundtrack to a good time.”
Vanessa Collier “Heart On The Line” – Summer 2021 Tour Itinerary
July 29 (Thur) PRE-LIMA CROSSROADS FESTIVAL CONCERT Lima NY
July 30 (Fri) KENNETT SQUARE ROOFTOP SERIES Kennett Sq PA
July 31 (Sat) POCAHONTAS OPERA HOUSE Marlington WV
Aug 1 (Sun) PITTSBURGH BLUES FESTIVAL Cheswick PA
Aug 2 (Mon) CHAUTAQUA BELLE/BELLE BASH Mayville NY
Aug 3 (Tues) HIGHMARK AMPHITHEATRE Erie PA
Aug 14 (Sat) BERKS JAZZ FESTIVAL Reading PA
Aug 15 (Sun) LONGS PARK CONCERT Lancaster PA
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(Lima NY) – dougdeutschPR