WMNF Heatwave Favorites: Trae Pierce, Vanessa Collier & The War and Treaty
WMNF’s annual Tropical Heatwave Festival, held every May (or end of April) in Ybor City, Florida, is billed as their annual “extravaganza of exotic and eclectic entertainment,” and it certainly lives up to that description. Friday, July 29th, WMNF will be presenting “Heatwave Favorites” at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa. This show will feature three of the most talked-about sets from the most recent Heatwave Festival – Trae Pierce and the T-Stones, Vanessa Collier and The War and Treaty.
I have caught Trae Pierce and the T-Stones a couple of times now, and each time I have been blown away. Their music is very reminiscent of Bootsy Collins or vintage Sly & The Family Stone. Trae Pierce fronts the band on bass as well as vocals and even throws in some talkbox. He has won four Grammy Awards, played with the Ohio Players, Peter Gabriel, Susan Tedeschi and many others. His funk roots show through powerfully in the heavy, driving rhythms of their music. It’s the kind of music that makes it hard to sit still and even harder not to smile all night. Rae Pierce does a great job as well on vocals. David Grant is a very strong keyboardist. Charron Freeman also plays bass and vocals. They have a powerhouse drummer in Gordon Rodgers. The final piece of the T-Stones is Adam James on guitar and vocals. These folks get everyone up and dancing with the best of them. They will be playing Suwanee Hulaween this year on Thursday and are also currently working on a new single called “One Nation.”
Vanessa Collier is a funk, soul, jazz and R&B musician who embraces all those genres while maintaining her roots in true blues music. Playing saxophones, singing and writing most of her material, she has won awards ranging from Best of 2014 Blues Breaker Artist from Dan Akroyd’s Elwood’s Bluesmobile to being a top three finalist in the 2015 John Lennon Songwriting Competition and to winning the 2015 Memphis International Blues Challenge. It shows in every moment of her live performances. The 24-year-old Philadelphia native is an absolute master at captivating and entertaining a crowd. She is one of those performers who gets up and just owns a stage. Ripping away on her sax, she is backed by a very talented quartet of musicians who combine together into a sultry, bluesy soulful mix that will leave you breathless. Collier teaches music three days a week and gigs hard on the weekends.
The War and Treaty were easily my most surprising favorite from Heatwave. I had not heard of them previously, so had no idea what to expect. When I walked into the venue where they were playing, it was between songs, and I saw the unassuming husband and wife duo. He was in front of a keyboard, and she was standing in front of a microphone. When they launched into their next song, I was blown away. The power of their combined vocals along with the intense message of their music was unbelievable. Both of them come from firm gospel roots, and it shows in their charismatic performance and lyrics. With an upcoming October release of their next CD, Revival, Michael Trotter, Jr., and Tanya Blount Trotter continue these themes. Touring now with cello player Thillman Benham, they are embarking on their second U.S. tour, playing all across the country. Their latest single is “Hi Ho,” a great piece that is one of those songs you can’t help but clap your hands and stomp your feet to. With the only instruments being a piano, cello and tambourine, the song is carried by the combined vocals of Michael and Tanya superbly. Other songs such as “Un-Breaking Your Heart” and “Till Roses Fade” will quickly take you back to ’70s R&B, harmonizing ballads that are basically impossible not to grab someone you love and slow-dance to. Then more uptempo gospel-infused rockers will come along and have you stomping your feet again. It’s a great mix of styles that reflect the various roots that make up the band.
The 2017 WMNF Tropical Heatwave is still nine months away. But you can recall the magic of the 2016 edition this Friday at Skipper’s! Check out the official Facebook page for more information.