“It’s a warmer and darker sounding a record, recorded intentionally to reflect a throwback to older school soul, R&B, blues, and to the days of great songs and songwriters, tube amps and analog gear,” singer-songwriter/saxophonist/guitarist Vanessa Collier describes her new album Do It My Own Way.
The use of these elements not only pays homage to that classic era but also offers a fresh take highlighting the depth and complexity of each track. The combination of Memphis soul-inspired horn arrangements, rich vocal layers, and emotive saxophone solos creates a deeply resonant musical experience.
Premiering exclusively on American Blues Scene is the anthemic third single and title track, which artfully addresses the sexism she’s encountered in the music industry. A striking, bluesy intro that grabs your attention sets the tone for commanding vocals to match lines that challenge ridiculous norms and find personal revelation: “I refuse to play by those rules/ Won’t even play the game.”
Vanessa tells us:
“Do It My Own Way,” the title track off of the record, is an edgy, slinky, determined and driving commentary on the music industry and the sexism in the industry. The opening lines are a piercing statement of the overused, antiquated, and tired views within the industry:
They say you gotta wear a low cut dress
To make it in this town
They say you gotta sell your body
Just to gain some ground
And the lyrics of the second verse demonstrate how the industry attempts to put and keep women “in their place” by undermining them:
They keep tellin’ me to put my head down
Don’t make a fuss
Try to push me to the corner
They say honey hush
I find that most artists I admire – namely, Prince, James Brown, and Bonnie Raitt, went against the grain and did things that people hadn’t thought of before and that people hadn’t seen before, changing the industry as they went.
This song is an assurance that I will continue to choose to fight quietly or publicly, if needed, to represent myself how I want to be represented in this industry and that I will not allow someone else to define who I am. It’s also a statement of hope that the industry is, can, and will continue to progress.
Vanessa takes on multiple roles, writing the songs, producing the album, arranging horns and all instrumental and vocal parts, playing acoustic and electric guitars and alto, soprano, and tenor saxophones, as well as singing the lead and background vocals. Also on the album are legendary Hi Records organ player Rev. Charles Hodges (Al Green, Bettye LaVette, Ann Peebles, Alex Chilton, Robert Cray); and frequent Collier collaborators Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Laura Chavez (Sue Foley, Mike Ledbetter & Monster Mike Welch); bassist Scott Sutherland (Elvin Bishop); and Byron Cage (Otis Taylor).
Vanessa has won 4 Blues Music Awards – three for “Horn Player of the Year” in 2019, 2020, and 2024 and one in 2022 for “Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year”!! She has been nominated for twelve Blues Music Awards since 2017, which puts her in elite company with artists such as Beth Hart, Samantha Fish, Shemekia Copeland, Ruthie Foster, Trombone Shorty, Al Basile, and Jimmy Carpenter.
Happy to perform on stages across the world, she hopes to 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. Continuing, “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 she 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.
The songwriter/bandleader made her Chicago Blues Festival debut this year, in front of tens of thousands. You can find her in our recent review/gallery here!
She is booked by Concerted Efforts, home to Rhiannon Giddens, Kaia Kater, Kyshona, and others.
Keep It Saxy Tour Dates:
August 18 – Thornton, NH – White Mountain Boogie ‘N Blues Festival
August 24 – Fall River, MA – Take Me To The River
September 6 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Café
September 7 – Phoenixville, PA – Phoenixville Blues Festival
September 8 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head Onstage
September 9-10 – Lima, NY – Fanatics Pub
September 11 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
September 13 – Westland, MI – Token Lounge
September 14 – Oaktoberfest – Oak Park, IL
September 15 – Forest Park, IL – Robert’s Westside
October 9 – Washington, D.C. – The Hamilton
October 10 – Caffe Lena – Saratoga Springs, NY
October 12 – Natick Arts Center – Natick, MA
October 13 – North Haven, CT – Small Batch Cellars
October 15-18 – Syracuse, NY – 443 Social Club & Lounge
October 19 – Hagerstown, MD – Hub City Vinyl
October 20 – Durham, NC – The Blue Note Grill
October 22 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
October 23 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
October 26 – November 2 – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
November 16 – Bonita Springs – Bonita Performing Arts Center
November 17 – Boca Raton, FL – Boca Blues Festival
November 21 – Richmond, VA – Tin Pan
November 22 – Reading, PA – Reading Blues Fest
December 6 – St. Augustine, FL – Café Eleven
December 7 – Lakewood Ranch, FL – Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival
February 15 – Vero Beach Blues Festival – Vero Beach, FL
