Natasha grew up on the small island of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean Sea, 180 miles south of Cuba and 195 miles west of Jamaica. Her parents being from opposite sides of the globe (her mother, a native Islander of Cayman, and her father, a Lebanese far from home) resulted in Natasha's deep love and curiosity for the world around which can be seen throughout her art and life.
A nomad and creative tour de force, Natasha embraces the arts in all its forms. Lover of the stage and theater, she honed her craft at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City where she graduated in 2007. She studied classical piano since the age of seven and graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Cardiff University in Wales specializing in Ethnomusicology. Her undergraduate ethnomusicology thesis entitled "An Island's Story: Told through the music of Julia Hydes" is celebrated and treasured as the first and only in depth writing on Caymanian folk music and drummer, Miss Julia Hydes.
After graduating, Natasha moved to San Diego, California to record her debut album with talented producer and musician Chad Farran. The exploration of her cultural identity is presented beautifully in her first debut album Between Shores, "a collection of Caribbean-tinged but world-aware songs that frame her engaging vocals stylishly...with melodies born from the sounds of the sea and the natural beauty of the environment - be that the Caribbean, the Middle East, or, arguably, downtown NYC." Between Shores, was awarded album of the year by the Cayman Music and Entertainment Association. Celebrating the release of her album Between Shores, Natasha commenced a live tour through the Cayman Islands and Cuba, with her talented band from Southern California, playing for packed venues and organizing music workshops for the local community.
As an artist she has truly evolved since her debut album with the recent release of her new EP "A Tale of One Fish". In this release, Natasha's evolution as a songwriter and composer shine through in the unconventional rhythms, exotic melodies and poetic imagery of her lyrics. Her vocals and piano blend beautifully with guitarist Dusty Brough and drummer Julian Cantelm. Together they form a trio of enchanting music and awesome talent along with featuring musicians David Carano on bass and Chad Farran on percussion and flute.
"As ever with Natasha’s music, the influences come from far and wide; tango rhythms, Middle Eastern orchestration, a hint of klezmer and gypsy jumpiness, dreamy, late-evening Californian guitar lines, a highly developed jazz sensibility and - as you’d expect - those sweepingly beautiful vocals (and vocalisations). It’s smart stuff that flirts with the output of Coco Rosie one moment and the Pierces the next. But the difference here is that nobody involved with those acts - great though they are - can play the piano quite like Natasha. The inspired cracked-up classicism of Letter to Beirut is testament to the depth of talent on show here.... Indeed, to acknowledge life in its multifarious hues demands the ability to see all the colours of the spectrum. Natasha Kozaily here has shown her willingness to explore not just music and technique, but all facets of the human experience. A journey does not end; but the path has some unexpected turns." - Joe Shooman (CayCompass 2011)
When Natasha is not writing songs or performing live you can find her, volunteering her time to environmental activism and community development, planning her next adventure, writing her monthly column Diary of a Caymanian Gypsy: Tales of Music and Travel for the Cayman Compass or painting in her backyard. The same poetic imagery of her lyrics is translated to colour and canvas with her paintings that are full of spirit, passion and the colours of the world around her. She currently exhibits and sells her work in the Cayman Islands and San Diego, California where she now resides.
You can find or purchase her art and music online at www.natashakozaily.com, and check out her blog www.talesofonefish.blogspot.com.
