Monica Mancini

Monica Mancini is a woman who has grown up with the spotlight focused upon her. 

“When your father was Henry Mancini, especially at his peak in the 60s and 70s, you never really strayed too far away from the glitz and glamour. As a child I was happy to stay in his shadow because it protected me from the intrusions this industry that I love can sometimes bring.”

Born in the mid 1950s, Monica never intended on a career in the music business, although music itself played such a prominent role in her life.

“Every teenager – whether they are raised in the 60s or the present day – is going to find their own soundtrack to life. Music is a big part of growing up and of who we are.”

However, when the “bug” bit her she was quickly hooked.

“I started out as one of the Henry Mancini chorus and this helped me progress my career in the studios at Los Angeles. From thereon in I was fortunate enough to work with some wonderful artists including Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Placido Domingo.

“I learnt a lot from these experiences and every one contributed a little to complete me as an artist.”

In her career, Mancini has enjoyed considerable success as a singer and concert performer and she has appeared alongside many of the world’s major symphony orchestras. 

In 2005 she was a Double-Grammy award nominee and her latest release “I Loved These Days” sees her perform along side heroes Stevie Wonder and Brian Wilson, an experience she claims was unsurpassable.

“To work with such globally renowned musicians – artists in some cases that I grew up listening to as a teenager – is such a thrill. 

Monica arrives here in the UK as part of a tour that sees her performing for two nights at the famous Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho and it is an event she is very much looking forward to.

“I love London. As a child I spent a lot of time here and my husband and I come back often. There’s such a musical tradition in this country that stretches right back to The Beatles and I see it as a real pleasure to be performing at one of the capital’s greatest jazz venues. “

Outside of her career, Monica has many interests and she sites her Italian heritage and sense of family as being a very important element of her personality.

“My father instilled the importance of family to us from a very young age and wherever he went he always did his best to take us with him, to maintain that sense of unity.

“I love relaxing at home and although we do go out a great deal, we also cherish the quiet times alone. 

However, her busy lifestyle doesn’t suit a young family so she and her husband have no children of their own.

“My husband is also my drummer and musical director and we both made a conscious decision not to have kids because we didn’t think we could commit the time and attention raising them would require.”

Monica Mancini will be performing this Saturday 10^th and Sunday 11^th at The Pizza Express Jazz Club and having heard her latest album, I can recommend that you won’t be disappointed if you are a fan of classic material.

For more information check out her website at www.monicamancini.com

George R Vaughan

Posted Wed, 07/07/2010 - 21:12 by George Vaughan