Vanessa N. Collier, born in Dallas, Texas and raised in Columbia, Maryland, is an American saxophonist and singer who began her musical journey at age 11. She studied privately with Chris Vadala before earning dual degrees at Berklee College of Music, graduating in 2013. In 2014, Vanessa N. Collier released her debut solo album Heart Soul & Saxophone on Phenix Fire Records, which included five original compositions by Collier. Following this release, she embarked on her national debut tour in late 2014. In 2017, she released Meeting My Shadow on Ruf Records and toured in 12 countries. She has been nominated for 12 Blues Music Awards, winning four: Horn Player of the Year in 2019, 2020, and 2024, and Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year in 2022. Her subsequent albums include Honey Up (2018) and Heart on the Line (2020).
