High Notes

Even before you set foot on the property of Monica Mancini and Gregg Field, among the contemporary lines and carefully appointed plantings you sense something almost lyrical. The compound sits on top of a hill on a narrow, winding street—the kind that makes drivers slow down nervously, anticipating a tight squeeze from oncoming traffic. But once you arrive on the property: pure harmony.

“This home was built in 1990 by a dentist who built his dream house and spared no expense,” explains Monica. “He left us with a pristine, architectural, light-filled house. I call this my happy house. From every window there is green, lots of light and a tremendous view of the San Fernando Valley.”

Indeed, from every vantage point— whether swimming laps in the pool or relaxing in the infinity spa—there is a view. And the home is often filled with the sound of music.

Monica is a two-time Grammy nominated recording artist and concert performer and the daughter of legendary composer Henry Mancini. Gregg is a seven-time Grammy award-winning record producer and drummer.  

HILLTOP HARMONY  Left: The fireplace mantle in the couple’s living room is lined with awards including Gregg’s seven Grammys and Henry Mancini’s Best Score Oscar from Victor Victoria.  Right: Monica playing a piano that belonged to her father, on which he composed the award-winning song “Moon River.”

After a few years of residence, the couple decided they wanted more space. They bought the house next door and had it torn down. Working with architect David Serrurier, they created a pool house for relaxing and entertaining.

Features include a vaulted ceiling with bi-fold doors made in Germany—giving the structure an almost open-air pavilion quality, which is great for the summer months. A spectacular California sycamore tree is a focal point of the pool house, which is adorned with Zen-like water fountains.

The open floor plan of the eight-room main home, a glass and metal structure, features four bedrooms on the second floor. “We use one as the gym and the other as a music library,” Monica says. “We just have lots of music around here.”

The real music hotspot, though, is the recording studio (created from a dirt basement) on the bottom level, where Gregg—as part owner of Concord Records—works with artists on albums and music sets. “We’ve had many artists including Dave Koz and Arturo Sandoval record here, as they love the big, open sound that the space provides,” shares Monica. “We are never without music coming up through the kitchen floor.”

Monica chose the decor of the home, which makes sense considering her former profession of interior design. “I started the design business working on my parents’ Malibu Beach home, which they bought in the mid-‘60s. We did a complete remodel.”

After that came Rob Reiner’s house above Coldwater Canyon, then Billy Crystal’s and Michael Keaton’s houses. But eventually she realized that music was taking a backseat to material swatches and floor plans.

So she got back on track, devoting herself full-time to her “true passion”: music.

Much of the artwork came from Monica’s parents’ house in Holmby Hills. After her father passed away, her mother sold the house. Paintings, sculptures and smaller pieces were divided among the three children.

INSIDE TRACK The couple at their home recording studio.

“I love art and started collecting in France years ago. Nothing too expensive, but I love Fernand Leger and have several framed art pieces around the house. There’s a favorite one called ‘The Sisters’ that reminds me of my sister and identical twin, Felice,” she says.

She relays how they discovered the property. “We were actually looking on the Westside, but one Sunday Gregg was driving around looking at open houses.”

He called Monica at 5 p.m. right before the open house was due to close. He told her to come see the property, so she raced across town from her Westwood condo.

“I saw our dream house. I never thought we could afford it, but the price was rock-bottom for the neighborhood. We just made it work,” the singer recalls.

That was the beginning and the end of the couple’s house-hunting adventure. And for the record, they have no plans to ever leave their house on the hill.