Article Contributed by Doug Deutsch
Published on 2026-03-05
Soulful blues saxophonist and vocalist Vanessa Collier, a triple nominee for the 2026 Blues Music Awards, launches the spring leg of her year-long “Keep It Saxy” 2026 Tour with a performance at Unit B (821 W. San Mateo Rd.) in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Friday, March 13. The show begins at 7 p.m., with general admission tickets priced at $44. More information is available at unitbsantafe.com.
Collier’s reputation as an emerging force on the international blues stage continues to grow. She has received three nominations for the 2026 Blues Music Awards: B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Band of the Year, and Contemporary Blues Female Artist. Over the course of her career, Collier has earned a total of fifteen Blues Music Award nominations, winning five times. The 47th Annual Blues Music Awards will take place May 7 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Collier’s sixth and most recent album, Do It My Own Way, was released in September 2024 on her own Phenix Fire Records. Recorded on analog gear with the musicians largely performing together in one room, the album draws sonic inspiration from the classic Memphis soul sound of Stax and Hi Records, especially that of the Staple Singers. Do It My Own Way takes listeners back to the heyday of soul-infused music with Memphis-style horn arrangements, layered vocals for color, and powerful saxophone solos that provide a quietly compelling undercurrent to each track. The minor-key Americana/noir single “Take Me Back” served as the album’s first release. The record opens with the funky groove of “Elbow Grease,” while “Shoulda Known Better” stands out among its many memorable grooves. “Just One More” adds a different flavor, swaying with a subtle rhumba beat.
Vanessa Collier is a multi-award-winning songwriter, master musician, and multi-instrumentalist known for seamlessly blending funk, soul, rock, and blues through soulful vocals, searing saxophone solos, and witty songwriting. Despite being early in her career, she has already gained widespread recognition for her high-energy, passionate live performances.
Collier began playing saxophone in the fourth grade and quickly immersed herself in music programs, performing in every school, all-county, and all-state band available. At the same time, she was also a standout athlete, lettering all four years on her varsity basketball team and graduating high school with honors. She later received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where she earned dual degrees in Performance and Music Production and Engineering. Since graduating from Berklee, Collier has toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally.
Vanessa Collier says she feels most at home performing for audiences around the world. “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 pursue it doggedly.”
Vanessa Collier Keep It Saxy 2026 Tour Itinerary (March–May)
March 13 – Santa Fe, NM – Unit B
March 14 – Albuquerque, NM – Fusion
March 17 – Phoenix, AZ – MIM
March 18 – Tucson, AZ – La Rosa
March 19 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House
March 20 – Escondido, CA – The Centre
March 21 – Bakersfield, CA – World Records
March 25 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s
March 27 – Carson City, NV – Nashville Social Club
March 28 – Sutter Creek, CA – Sutter Creek Theatre
March 29 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall
April 1 – Sisters, OR – Belfry
April 2 – Portland, OR – Alberta Rose Theatre
April 3 – Seattle, WA – Triple Door
April 4 – Lake Country, BC – Creekside Theatre
April 6 – Salt Lake City, UT – State Room
April 8 – Lincoln, NE – Zoo Bar
April 9 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads
April 10 – Omaha, NE – Holland Center
April 23 – Statesville, NC – Iredell Arts Council
April 25 – Durham, NC – Blue Note Grille
April 30 – Maynard, MA – Sanctuary Cultural Arts Center
May 1 – Portsmouth, NH – Jimmy’s
May 2 – Westport, CT – Trefz Forum
May 3 – Portland, ME – One Longfellow Square
May 7 – Tuckerton, NJ – Lizzie Rose Music Room
May 8–9 – Columbia, MD – Encore
