“It’s so rare to find any instrument with as much versatility as this one. It’ll blow any electric instrument off the stage with its pure, first-rate, powerhouse sound.”
Marissa Licata, Rock Violinist, Jethro Tull
28 year old, Boston and New York based, Honduran American violinist, Marissa Licata, is a star powerhouse soloist. Her electrifying passion and vibrant presence have been featured on international and world-renowned stages. With over 15 years of classical violin training, and her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the New England Conservatory, Marissa proved her natural versatility on her very first audition for Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull – winning the lead violin spot on his 2006 US tour. She would go on to join Jethro Tull for 5 more international tours.
Marissa quickly became high in demand as both a featured soloist and recording artist. In the years from 2007 – 2011, Ms. Licata collaborated on projects and performed on national and international tours with Alicia Keys, Ben Harper, Ringo Starr, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Gloria Estefan, Pras of the Fugees, Jermaine Paul, Elle Varner, Gaby Wilson, and many more.
After appearances on ‘Good Morning America’, ‘The View’, ‘The Latin Grammys’, and ‘Live From The Artist’s Den’, returning from a European tour with the East-West Klezmer Company – now with a resume of global accomplishment – Licata stepped into the spotlight as premiere soloist in early 2012. Her dazzling intensity on stage has been mesmerizing audiences everywhere, since her sold out headlining debut at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston. Drawing on World music from Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, Marissa’s unique Gypsy fusion highlights universally familiar melodies with contagious rhythmic energy – a relentless energy presented with tremendous passion, heart, joy, and a stylish flair all her own.