Vanessa Freeman

Vanessa Freeman is a celebrated British vocalist whose voice has been hailed as "outstanding" by Robert Elms on BBC London Live, "a voice for the future" by the Evening Standard, and praised for her "sweet vocals" and "exceptional improvisation" by Straight No Chaser.

Drawing from a rich tapestry of influences—Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Marlena Shaw, Mahalia Jackson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mica Paris, Fontella Bass, The Isley Brothers, and Curtis Mayfield—Vanessa has forged a sound that is immediately distinctive, spiritually resonant, and timelessly soulful.

Her recordings include the acclaimed album Shades (Chillifunk, 2004), featuring "Show Me" and "The Light," co-written with Phil Asher and Mike Patto. She appears on Reel People's re-released live album Second Guess with tracks including "Washing Away" and "Butterflies," and contributed "Tomorrow Never Comes" to Kyoto Jazz Massive's 10th Anniversary release, a collaboration with Oli Mayeaux Sherlock, Mike Patto, and Seiji of Bugz in the Attic.

Vanessa has shared stages with an extraordinary roster of artists, including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, 4Hero, Bugz in the Attic, Dego, Mr Scruff, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Kaidi Tatham, Nathan Haines, Faze Action, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Sunlightsquare, Mike Lindup, and many others. Her performances have taken her from Russia to Japan and across prestigious festivals worldwide—North Sea Jazz, Worldwide Festival (Sète), Lovebox, Wilderness, Shambala, V Festival, Secret Garden Party, Cross the Tracks, and Campo Sancho among them.

Beyond her solo career, Vanessa is a proud member of Eves' Drop Collective, a 13 -strong collective of women DJs and performers from across the UK dedicated to amplifying female voices behind the decks and on the mic.

At the heart of everything she does: "Music is my life. Music is my sanctuary."