There are instruments like the human voice, the trumpet, the saxophone or the piano that seem to appeal in an instant to jazz music fans and nearly every other music lover alike. And then there are instruments like the harp or the violin which offers an acquired taste as solo instruments and that aren’t as popular as they should be. While I always like a string section or a single violin or cello to give a song more feeling and depth (for example listen to the songs Monica Dillon did with her cellist on All I Have Is A Moment or to Regina Carter’s contribution to Carmen Lundy’s Something To Believe In album), I haven’t paid much attention to the violin as solo instrument yet. Until I’ve heard of Tia Imani Hanna that is.
To alter a phrase from the Frank Capra movie Arsenic And Old Lace: Musicality runs in Tia’s family, it practically gallops. She’s related to Naima Shamborguer (her aunt), the late Sir Roland Hanna (her uncle) and Penny Wells (her sister). Obviously Tia has chosen the hardest way of all her family members to pursue a career in the music business by choosing the violin together with her voice as instruments.
The first chapter of The Book Of Tia consists of six self-written songs. The first song was developed as a dialogue between Tia and the choreographer Andrea E. Woods for a film project called Inside. Waltz For Andrea shows Tia’s virtuosity on her instrument, the violin and is a good start for this mini album. Walking With My Soul is descibed by Tia as “reminder that the best of me comes from within” and it’s further proof that Tia’s also capable to handle her voice as an instrument.
Being one-sixteenth Scottish Fiona’s Cousin is Tia’s tribut to her European ancestors. Therefore the Solo Version sounds like an Irish/Scottish folksong. For me it’s the band version of Fiona’s Cousin that really hits home here. This version also pays tribut to Tia’s African roots and it is a very interesting musical experiment. The song starts like the afore-mentioned folk song from Europe but with its driving drum rhythm by David Pleasant it combines African influences as well. The result is a unique sound and an impressive piece of music.
These songs may not appeal to everyone since they are very different to most of the music you will find on records. But Tia is to applaud for being brave enough to take the risk and sticking to her heartfelt music. The remaining two songs are more suitable for a wider audience and I must admit that I liked Timeless and Brazil The First Time the first time I heard them.
Maybe the most traditional jazz song on this album is Timeless on which Tia captures us with her rich voice. This is the song fans of Carmen Lundy, Dianne Reeves, or Nnenna Freelon will love.
The album’s closer Brazil The First Time is another instrumental with a pleasant South-American vibe. Although you might not think of a violin when you think of Brazilian inspired music this works very well and the song just fits perfectly to this summer.
On the whole The Book Of Tia is a very interesting mini album from a musician who knows how to play the violin, can sing as well and who dares to be different and releases music that’s unique.

Tracklisting of The Book Of Tia Chapter One: 1. Waltz for Andrea/ 2. Walking with My Soul/ 3. Fiona’s Cousin (Solo Version)/ 4. Fiona’s Cousin (band version)/ 5. Timeless/ 6. Brazil the First Time | released 2002 Greenbow Music

For more infos visit tiaimanihanna.com and cdbaby.com.

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