Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Engineer
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Airspace Structure; Weather
While flying the VANZE arrival into Memphis; we were vectored off the arrival and allowed to deviate left and right to avoid major thunderstorms in the Memphis area. After clearing a cell; we were told to proceed to SUZEE and resume the arrival. We were level at 10;000 ft.; about 3 miles from SUZEE; we started a slight descent; to adhere to the altitude restrictions of the arrival. Memphis approach was extremely busy vectoring aircraft on/off the arrivals and SIDS. We noted an aircraft 5 miles away and climbing and no factor. We stopped our descent at 9;500 ft. and were told to maintain 10;000 ft. for the traffic. We continued the arrival with no other issues. [There was] congestion on the radio and thunderstorms in the area.
Air Carrier Captain reported an airborne conflict following ATC clearance.