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Monica Mancini

Concord Records recording artist and 2005 double-Grammy nominee Monica Mancini, daughter of famed film composer Henry Mancini and the notable studio singer Ginny O’Conner Mancini, has carved out an impressive career as a concert performer, appearing with major symphony orchestras worldwide, including the Chicago Symphony, New York Pops, Boston Pops, Dallas Symphony, Seattle Symphony and the London Metropolitan Orchestra.

She began singing early on as a member of the Henry Mancini Chorus, which led to a successful career in the Los Angeles studios, where she appeared on countless film scores and recordings, with such notable artists as Placido Domingo, Quincy Jones, and Michael Jackson. Her debut CD, simply titled Monica Mancini was the companion to her PBS television special, Monica Mancini: On Record.

Her current Billboard chart topping and double Grammy nominated Concord Records release, Ultimate Mancini finds Monica and some very special guest artists including Stevie Wonder, Take 6, Kenny Rankin, Gary Burton, Joey DeFrancesco, Tom Scott and Plas Johnson paying tribute to her father.

It has been quite a year for Monica and the Mancini family. This “Year of Mancini”, celebrating the release of the USPS Henry Mancini Postage Stamp, kicked off an extensive 60-city tour, followed by sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall, Disney Hall, Boston Symphony Hall and Tanglewood with John Williams and the Boston Pops.

The New York Times has described Mancini’s rich, expressive voice as “the glamorous vocal equivalent to diamonds flashing.” On her approach to interpreting a song, she says, “I always keep in mind the composers intention because I believe melodies and lyrics are crafted with a definite purpose. I want to bring out the beauty of the writer’s word through music”.

Composer John Williams writes: “Monica Mancini brings her talent, musicality and most of all, love to the music, and proves that the passage of musical genes didn’t stop with the Bachs, Strausses or Ellingtons!”

Monica Mancini’s fifth album, I’ve Loved These Days is a collection of covers of the beloved sixties classics of her musical heroes; such artists as Paul Simon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Harry Nilsson, Janis Ian, and Billy Joel.

Joining her in I’ve Loved These Days are Jackson Browne, Brian Wilson, Take 6, Stevie Wonder, and Rascal’s Felix Cavaliere. They offer a variety of instrumental and vocal support in each song, and Stevie Wonder and Take 6 make a return performance from Mancini’s last album, double Grammy nominee, Ultimate Mancini.

Her perfect pitch and smooth voice give the songs a new sound that can generate a wider audience and deeper appreciation for the original artists. She does a fantastic job bringing these old classics back to life with a contemporary style that will keep her audience wanting more.

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Album Review

Various Artists: Ella 100 Live at the Apollo

Read "Ella 100 Live at the Apollo" reviewed by Jim Worsley


To be taken back in time within the scope of a period piece movie has long been a staple. Some journeys feel much more real than others, but the concept is commonplace. Venturing into the past with only the audio of a CD or record is, as they might have said back in 1934, “a whole different kettle of fish." A live audience first laid eyes and ears on this 100th birthday celebration honoring the sensational Ella Fitzgerald (born on ...

149
Album Review

Monica Mancini, et. al.: Ultimate Mancini

Read "Ultimate Mancini" reviewed by Charlie B. Dahan


Henry Mancini is without a doubt one of the most prolific and award-winning composers of our time. With Ultimate Mancini Concord Records celebrates “The Year of Mancini by recording a tribute to some of his best-known repertoire. Tributes are a hard nut to crack, as they are usually poorly thought out attempts to make some quick sales. However, Concord enlists Henry Mancini's daughter Monica to not only perform on the recording, but bring loving care and respect to the album. ...

167
Album Review

Monica Mancini: Cinema Paradiso

Read "Cinema Paradiso" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Monica Mancini, the daughter of the legendary Henry Mancini, grew up with an affinity for themes and scores. On her sophomore Concord release, she builds on a theme while settling the score regarding her own place in the Jazz vocalist pantheon. Opening with the English translation of Ennio Morricone’s lovely theme from the titular film, Mancini goes on to feature old favorites and new selections, including the love theme from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and "Senza Fine" from the recently ...

109
Album Review

Monica Mancini: Cinema Paradiso

Read "Cinema Paradiso" reviewed by Jim Santella


The cinema has given us many memorable ballads. Monica Mancini has selected chestnuts that represent a cross-section of film songs: each of them a timeless beauty that we’ll always remember. It’s music for our generation. Mancini interprets them with the wallpaper of a string orchestra in support that allows the passion in her delivery to remain at center stage. Each song is performed slow and mellow, as a lullaby suitable for filmdom’s reflective moments. The cinematic scores represented include Black ...

229
Album Review

Monica Mancini: The Dreams Of Johnny Mercer

Read "The Dreams Of Johnny Mercer" reviewed by Jim Santella


Her first album was a tribute to her father. Monica Mancini’ssecondalbum is a tribute to the music of another legend. Johnny Mercer left a strong impression on the singer as she was growing up in a musical family. Mancini’s parents met when they were both working with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Mom was a singer and Dad was a composer. The apple falls close to the roots of the tree, and Monica Mancini’s natural talent serves to make this latest ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Gershwin Reimagined:...

Decca Music Group
2018

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I've Loved these Days

Concord Music Group
2010

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Ultimate Mancini

Concord Music Group
2004

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Cinema Paradiso

Concord Music Group
2003

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Cinema Paradiso

Concord Music Group
2002

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