Article Contributed by Doug Deutsch
Published on 2026-09-13
“There’s a young lady, Vanessa Collier, who came onstage with me—I forget where I was—but she was playing an alto saxophone, and man, she was amazing.” — Buddy Guy
Renowned blues saxophonist, vocalist and songwriter Vanessa Collier will continue her yearlong Keep It Saxy Tour with a performance at Neptune’s in Hyannis, Massachusetts, on Thursday, September 24.
A five-time Blues Music Award winner, Collier has earned widespread respect on the international music scene through her soulful vocals, impressive saxophone work, sharp songwriting and powerful live performances.
Collier earned three Blues Music Award nominations in 2026: B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Band of the Year and Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year. She also appeared on the cover of the 2026 Blues Festival Guide.
Her sixth and most recent album, Do It My Own Way, was released September 13, 2024, through her own Phenix Fire Records. Recorded on analog equipment with the musicians largely playing together in one room, the album draws sonic inspiration from the classic Memphis soul sound of Stax and Hi Records, particularly the music of the Staple Singers.
Do It My Own Way takes listeners back to the heyday of Memphis soul through horn arrangements, layered vocals and expressive saxophone solos that provide a powerful undercurrent throughout the record. The minor-key Americana noir of “Take Me Back” served as the first single, while the album opens with the funk workout “Elbow Grease.” “Shoulda Known Better” stands out among the album’s many grooves, and “Just One More” sways to a rumba beat.
Vanessa Collier is a multi-award-winning songwriter, musician and multi-instrumentalist known for weaving together funk, soul, rock and blues through soulful vocals, searing saxophone solos and witty songwriting.
Collier began playing saxophone in the fourth grade and participated in school, all-county and all-state bands. She also played AAU basketball, lettered all four years on her varsity basketball team and graduated from high school with honors.
After high school, Collier earned a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music, where she graduated with dual degrees in Performance and Music Production & Engineering. Since graduating from Berklee, she has toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally.
Collier says she is happiest performing on stages around the world and hopes to make a difference among her 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
Keep It Saxy Tour
Thursday, September 24, 2026
7 p.m.
Neptune’s
541 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Tickets: $33.62
Information: 508-827-7815
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