Marina Vittoria

• Active: '90s, 2000s
• Genres: Folk

Biography

Marina Vittoria began to make a name for herself in the folk-rock music scene almost as soon as she stepped on stage for her first professional gig. Performing in front of an audience was very different from the years she had spent singing to please her children, but she loved it just the same. When Vittoria was about ten years old, her brother sparked her interest in music. Artists like George Harrison and the Moody Blues added fuel to the fire. In 1998, Vittoria won the Folk Factory People's Choice Award. A year later, with a few other wins to her credit, she finished working on an excellent debut album, appropriately titled For the People. It was released under the Symmetry Records label and carries tracks like "That Place Called Love," "Diamonds and Emeralds," "Once Again," and "Long Ago and Far Away." That same year, Vittoria's music was reviewed in many magazines, including Billboard, Seventeen, and Songwriter's Monthly. After the release of her first album, Vittoria put together a band of her own. Members of the Marina Vittoria Band consist of talented musicians such as drummer Ed Wallin, bassist Dave Loomis, guitarist Dave Lefkowitz, and drummer and producer Daoud Shaw. A number of other artists often appear with Vittoria, on stage and on her recordings, helping her reach the folk-rock mixed with the '60s sound that she likes to achieve. Some of those artists are percussionist Joseph Breen, guitarist Chuck Anderson, keyboardist Joshua Yudkin, and Bob Tangrea on fiddle and mandolin, Carl Asch on the penny whistle, and Annie Wenz, who adds the Native flutes. Even Vittoria's daughter, Jessie, lends her vocal talents from time to time. ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide