Black Violin Brings Its Classical Boom Tour to the Ohio Theatre October 8
Posted: August 27, 2018
Black Violin is a blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass music performed by classically trained string instrumentalists Wil Baptiste and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester. Accompanied on stage by their incredible band, featuring ace turntable whiz DJ SPS, Black Violin perform as many as 200 shows a year, showcasing their distinctive sound that melds hard-hitting beats with the lush sounds of strings.
CAPA presents Black Violin at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) on Monday, October 8, at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25-$60 at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000. Includes two acts and an intermission.
In December 2017, Black Violin was announced as the Turnaround Artist for Mary B. Bethune Elementary School in their hometown of Broward County, FL. Turnaround Arts, a national education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, infuses arts into struggling schools to support overall reform efforts. Founded by President Obama’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in 2012, the program partners schools with music instrument grants, arts supplies, professional development, musicals, and pairs each school with an artist to provide mentorship, inspiration, and support for the school’s journey in the program. Turnaround Artists include Elton John, Ed-ward Norton, and Yo-Yo Ma, among other highly acclaimed members of the arts community.
Black Violin has served as the house band for ESPN's Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation for two years, and their track “Stereotypes” was used to promote the US Open tennis tournament.
Black Violin is currently writing and recording their next studio album, due out in 2018. The band’s most recent release, Stereotypes, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart. NPR praised the album and band, saying “their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.”
Black Violin is composed of classically trained violist and violinist Wil B. and Kev Marcus, who combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive, multi-genre sound that is often described as “classical boom.” Black Violin has shared stages with top names, including Kanye West, Aerosmith, and Tom Petty, and has creatively collaborated with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean, and Alicia Keys.
The duo composed music for the television series “Pitch” which debuted on FOX in 2016, in addition to appearances on HBO’s “Ballers,” “The Tonight Show,” “The Wendy Williams Show,” and “The Ellen Show.”
In addition, Black Violin has performed for more than 100,000 students throughout North America and Europe in the past year. The band is endorsed by Yamaha Music, and has partnered with the National Association for Music Manufacturers (NAMM) to continue their advocacy for accessible music education.
