Marissa Licata at Fontana's

The violin has been influential in classical, jazz, bluegrass, klezmer and rock, and 28-year-old Boston- and New York-based Marissa Licata, has been influenced by it all. With over 15 years of classical violin training and degrees from the New England Conservatory, Licata has collaborated on projects and performed on tours with Alicia Keys, Ringo Starr, Gloria Estefan, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Ben Harper and others. The 2012 album Water Level is a jazz collaboration between her and her father, composer and alto saxophonist Charles Licata.

At Fontana’s tonight, Licata’s electrifying set blended Eastern European, Latin American, Middle Eastern and Americana sounds. She wailed on what sounded like Bulgarian gypsy music, followed by a tango, then jazz, and even some playful dissonance. She demanded dancing from the audience, but most of the audience could only stare at the virtuoso whose abundant raven hair flew as she swung with the swings of her bow. The music was diverse and the musicianship was outstanding. Backed only by a standup bass and drums, however, the violin leads became a bit monotonous. Perhaps the addition of a vocalist or keyboardist could help fill out the sound. Marissa Licata performs at the Cutting Room on October 9.