Jimi & Lisa Duo- About

Jimi and Lisa have it all. Not only do they have 40 years of musical experience between the two of them, but they can play anything from Rock to R&B to Pop to Country to Jazz without skipping a beat and sound like a full band to boot. This dynamic musical duo has an extensive songlist, and can tailor sets to the needs of each gig. They can even become a full band when needed. Whatever your musical tastes are, Jimi and Lisa will deliver. The duo features Lisa Marinacci on vocals, keyboards and percussion and Jimi Brent on vocals, guitar and saxophone.

LISA

Born on August 3rd in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lisa Marinacci was immediately influenced by the music that surrounded her - her mother's singing, her father's jazz piano-playing, and an immense family record collection which included everything from Elvis to Manhattan Transfer. The history of music in her family went back even further, as both of her grandfathers played instruments, and her second cousin Bob Cooper played saxophone with The Stan Kenton Orchestra and was married to jazz singer, June Christy.

Lisa began performing professionally at age 5 when she landed the role of "Gretel" in the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's production of The Sound of Music starring Maureen McGovern. She would spend the next 15 years studying and performing throughout Pittsburgh with the Civic Light Opera, Don Brockett Productions, and The Center for Theater Arts. She also performed live and on television with Joe Negri (of the television show, "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood"), who was instrumental in introducing her to the world of jazz and standards, involving her in programs like "Jazz for Juniors". In 1993 she won the prestigious "Best Actress" Gene Kelly Award for Excellence in Musical Theater for the role of "Ms. Adelaide" in Guys and Dolls.

By the age of 10 Lisa was a recognized face in Pittsburgh. She was featured in several local and national TV commercials, and recorded many local radio voice-overs and jingles. At the age of 12 she was selected as "The Showtime Kid", and was flown to New York City to host a week of Showtime's "Family Time" TV Series.

She went on to study drama and writing at Carnegie Mellon University. During her time there, Lisa was selected to perform with Marvin Hamlisch at the Pittsburgh Pop's Search For A Star concert at Heniz Hall. She also performed with Stephen Schwartz at a benefit for the Scotch'n'Soda Theater Company. Upon graduating with her Masters degree in Professional Writing, she relocated to New York City and has since worked with AMAS Musical Theater, The NYC Fringe Festival, Prospect Theater Company, and with composers Jay Alan Zimmerman and Jonathan Portera, among others.

From 2000-2003 Lisa spent several months traveling the world with Royal Caribbean International, singing everything from classic rock to Spanish love songs.

In the fall of 2003, Lisa traveled back and forth between New York and Pittsburgh, working together with close friend and mentor Joe Negri on her first album. Waiting For Spring was released in April 2004.

By late 2004, Lisa was simultaneously writing the book, music, and lyrics to her pop/rock musical, The Devil and Daisy Jane, singing with a jazz band in NYC, promoting her first album, and auditioning for and performing in musical theater workshops and productions.

JIMI

Originally from Detroit, Jimi is one of Las Vegas’s most talented singer/songwriter/performers. He can rock your world with compelling vocals, searing guitar riffs or soulful sax.

Throughout his school years he excelled at music. At the age of fourteen he taught himself to play guitar by emulating such greats as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Eddie Van Halen. Jimi won a music scholarship to the University of Miami, where he studied performance and composition.

He has performed in concerts, nightclub engagements and shows in many parts of the country. His bands have opened for such well known acts as Tower of Power, Ray Charles, The Allman Brothers Band and The Little River Band. Jimi is a true Renaissance man. As a singer, musician, composer, actor, athlete and writer his talents are many. When he is not performing, Jimi spends his time writing original music for his CD’s, such as his 2003 debut solo CD, “Over The Top” and his 2006 CD, "Sin City Cowboy".

He has acted in and also composed music for television, movies and commercials. He is a former competitive bodybuilder, plays ice hockey and tennis, loves to ride dirt bikes and Harleys and is a Masters track and field athlete.