OurStage

TIA IMANI HANNA
Violinist, Vocalist, Composer

Tia Imani Hanna is a musician who takes listeners from one deep, swelling moment to the next, rarely pausing between chords without inhaling a fresh breath of passion into the river of her work. Ms. Hanna says her mission is “to create music that makes the listener remember they are spiritual beings, that spirit moves within us through sound, through vision, through dance…with joy and love.”
Born in Detroit, she was nurtured by a family of musicians, including her aunt, Naima Shamborguer, the popular Detroit jazz vocalist, and world renowned jazz pianist. The late Sir Roland Hanna, who inspired her to pursue this indigenous American art form.
Ms. Hanna began performing in Detroit area festivals, benefits and concerts. After college she also hosted a popular weekly radio show called Take the “A” Train. The artist moved to New York City in 1998. Since being in New York City, Ms. Hanna has performed in various clubs as a violinist with a number of different groups. Hanna was a featured violinist for the Fourth American Jazz String Summit. , Where Hanna premiered her composition "Brazil the First Time." Hanna was the musical force behind the independent film, Inside, an original dance and music project composed by Ms. Hanna with video-choreographer, Andrea E. Woods. It has become a permanent part of the Jerome Robbins Dance collection at the New York City Public Library. She has toured with The Souloworks Dance Company and worked with dancer Gesel Mason in the Washington D.C. area. She has also performed with jazz greats Paul West, Eddie Locke and Richard Wyands Ms. Hanna's Debut CD The Book of Tia is also available at www.tiaimanihanna.com

About her current direction, the musician says, “I am learning to sing through my instrument, ...to let my soul flow through it.” Ms. Hanna is has an incredible ability to weave atmospheres with storytelling melodies and harmonies oozing rich textures of soul and raw emotion.
The Lansing State Journal says “She’s hoarding a talent overload…wordless notes emerge from her mouth in a jaunty, jazzy way.”

Tia Imani Hanna: violin, vocals
Alisdair MacRae Birch: guitar
Miriam Sullivan: bass
David Pleasant: ashiko drum with bells and chain

produced by Tia Imani Hanna for Green Bow Music
all compositions by Tia Imani Hanna. © 2002 Green Bow Music/ASCAP except Timeless by Arlene McDaniel. Copyright © 1998.