Imogen Manins
cellist

 

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about.

Imogen Manins is an uncommonly gifted cellist, whose classical background with a Masters degree at the VCA (University of Melbourne) and a wonderfully creative and innovative musical mind has led to performance now primarily in improvisational music. Manins has collaborated with many of Australia’s most outstanding improvisers, leading to an exploration of new musical ground for cello. She plays in a number of improvisational ensembles including those with Tony Gould (piano), David Jones (percussion), Gianni Marinucci (trumpet/flugel), Tony Floyd (drums), Nick Haywood (bass), David Griffiths (clarinet) and Stella Skinner (guitar).

She has performed at Australia's international jazz festival at Wangaratta, and at Melbourne's Stonnington Jazz Festival. In 2008 she gave a concert with outstanding Finnish musicians Verneri Pohjola – trumpet and Olavi Louhivuori (drums) and was guest artist for a new ABC Classics recording project featuring renowned French horn player Barry Tuckwell, the Tony Gould Trio, and the strings of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Graeme Lyall.

Manins has appeared as guest musician on a number of recent, milestone recordings, including that of great Australian jazz musician Graeme Bell. Her own recording of 2008 Under the Tall Trees (on ABC Atmospheres) with the brilliant percussionist David Jones, and pianist Tony Gould is yet another new direction for the cellist, looking to both the past and present for inspiration and material, always with the intention of making music which combines craft with creativity and always in the true spirit of improvisation and beauty. It was received with critical acclaim and in 2009 three tracks from the cd were made finalists in the AMC/APRA Classical Music Awards, "The River Meets the Sea" winningthe prestigious 'Instrumental work of the year'. A second recording with the trio is in progress, as are several other projects including a recording for the Children's Hospital 'Hush' collection, and performances around Australia and overseas.