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Artist
Natalia mann
5+ albums
jazzinstrumentalharpcomposertry
about
Natalia Lagiitaua Mann was born in New Zealand in 1975, of Samoan and Anglo-Celtic descent. She began studying classical music at the age of four when her family lived in Los Angeles, her primary instruments being harp and piano. She continued her studies in New Zealand, and at age sixteen began playing for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, new music ensembles, opera, ballet and theatre. Her main harp teachers were NZSO harpist Carolyn Mills (Lucille Lawrence) and later Xanya Mamunya (Alice Chalifoux) with whom she obtained her degree in classical music perfomance at the Victorian College of the Arts (Australia). Curiosity led her to explore other forms of music, and she realised her passion for improvisation. In 1996 She moved to Melbourne, Australia where she immersed herself in the vibrant international folk and roots music scene. She collaborated with various artists in meditation music, pop, jazz, hip hop, lounge, experimental, abstract, and other contemporary styles. Celebrating her Pacific Island heritage in the process, she co-founded the award winning Samoan trio Suga, and the Brown Roots Pacific arts collective. She was an original member of the Turkish groups Gece and Unified Gecko, and avant-garde improvisation trio Shima. From 2005 - 2013 Mann lived in Istanbul, Turkey, working closely with virtuosic percussionist Izzet Kizil. She performed alongside Turkish classical master and composer Göksel Baktagir in their Tellerin Arasinda (Between Strings) p
