Vanessa Collier, photo by Bob Liddycoat
Vanessa Collier makes her first California appearances this week when she hits a triumvirate of local clubs. In support of the release of her latest album Honey Up, Vanessa will be performing at Big Mama’s Rib Shack on Saturday, June 22, 2019. The following day, June 23, she brings her talents to Malainey’s Grill in Long Beach and then finishes out the long weekend with a performance on Monday, June 24 at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon in Tarzana. A songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (alto sax, tenor sax, soprano sax, guitar) and vocalist, her music will keep you moving as she brings her own blend of blues to the stage.
So who is Vanessa Collier and why is she making such a big splash in the blues music scene these days? After starting to play the sax at a young age, by the time she had graduated the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 2013 she was already winning accolades for her performances as well as her skillful blending of blues, funk, R&B and even gospel into excellent original music. Not long after that, one of the top blues artists in the world, Buddy Guy, said “There’s a young lady [Vanessa Collier] came onstage with me, I forget where I was, but she’s playing an alto saxophone, and man, she was amazing.”
The critics and fans have taken notice of Vanessa Collier too. She has been nominated three times for the Blues Music Award for both Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year and Horn Player of the Year. She has received award nominations from the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Dan Akroyd’s Blues Mobile, the International song Competition and Blues Blast. With the upcoming release of her third album, Honey Up, she is sure to be in even more demand both nationally and internationally. Besides her own group, she has become a fixture with other well-known performers, playing with the likes of Tommy Castro and Tinsley Ellis.
Vanessa loves touring, whether it is playing in a small club or at a large music festival. The Blues Music Foundation commented on her performance there, saying that she “blew the doors off the Blues Music Awards!” In Canada, she earned two feature front-page photos and rave reviews at the Ottawa Blues Festival. She told the Los Angeles Beat about her upcoming visit, “I’m tremendously excited to bring my band and perform in Southern California for the first time! We’ll be bringing you blues, funk and soul; and I hope you’ll come out and groove with us!”
Listen to Vanessa Collier Honey Up
Vanessa Collier has certainly been making the music scene take notice of her talents. With her performances at Big Mama’s Rib Shack, Malainey’s Grill and the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, Southern California will get a chance to see one of the hottest new blues talents around.
Vanessa Collier Honey Up Tour
Big Mama’s Rib Shack
Pasadena, CA
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Restaurant/club website
Malainey’s Grill
Long Beach, CA
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Restaurant website
Maui Sugar Mill Saloon
Tarzana, CA
Monday, June 24, 2019
Club website
Tickets and info for shows from Cadillac Zack
Vanessa Collier website
Venessa Collier Facebook Page
Photos and quotes courtesy of Doug Deutsch PR, music link courtesy of Vanessa Collier
