ABOUT MANANA

I was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, in Eastern Europe, and grew up in a family where music was a way of life. One of my brothers played the saxophone, another played the guitar, and the sounds of jazz filled our home from the very beginning.

By the age of six, I was already listening to the timeless voices of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, and many other legendary artists.

My guitarist brother was the first to recognize something special in my voice. He taught me songs, and we began performing together at family gatherings, where everyone loved hearing me sing. At the same time, my saxophonist brother introduced me to extraordinary live music by taking me to some of the finest concerts in Tbilisi. Those early experiences deeply influenced my musical taste and helped shape the artist I would become.

By the age of eight, I was attending one of Georgia’s most prestigious music schools, where I studied piano, played in orchestras, and sang in choirs. That early training gave me the musical foundation, discipline, and artistry that continue to shape my performances today.

After becoming a U.S. citizen in 2004, I made the New York area my home. Today, I am a Hoboken-based live jazz vocalist, and music remains one of the greatest joys of my life.

Whether I’m singing timeless jazz standards or creating the soundtrack for a celebration as a DJ, I love bringing people together through music and seeing the happiness and joy on their faces.

My repertoire spans beloved jazz classics, while my DJ selections can cross generations and genres. I take the time to understand each client’s favorite songs, musical tastes, and the atmosphere they want to create, because every celebration should feel personal.

For me, performing is not simply about singing a collection of songs — it is about creating a feeling: something elegant, soulful, joyful, and memorable.

Creativity has always extended far beyond the stage for me. I am also an FMCA-Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach and Wellness Educator, a healthy-recipe developer, and a Creative Director and Product Developer in Long Island City. Through Optimize With Manana™, my health and wellness platform, I help people optimize their lifestyles through nutrition, gut-health education, practical wellness tools, and sustainable everyday habits—while teaching them how to prepare simple, nourishing meals with confidence.

Creating brings me true happiness. Whether I am creating music, recipes, educational programs, or thoughtfully designed products, the heart of my work remains the same: bringing people joy, inspiration, and meaningful experiences.

Music has been part of my life since childhood, and it remains one of my greatest passions. It would be an honor to bring that passion, warmth, and timeless elegance to your celebration.

A woman standing in an urban rooftop setting, dressed in a black dress with a one-shoulder design, with her hands in her pockets and wearing large hoop earrings, with city buildings in the background.