Great Performances: Black Violin

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Part of the Great Performances Series

Black Violin is led by classically trained string players Wil B. (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin). Joining them onstage are DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes. The band uses their unique blend of classical and hip-hop music to overcome stereotypes while encouraging people of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds to join together to break down cultural barriers. In the past 12 months, the band has performed for over 100,000 students in the US and Europe, and has partnered with Yamaha and NAMM (National Association of Music Manufactures) to continue supporting music education.

Black Violin, along side artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Elton John, recently joined with Turnaround Arts to bring arts education to struggling schools in underserved communities. Turnaround Arts is a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts founded by President Obama’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in 2012. In addition, Black Violin has composed for a major FOX Television original Pitch, and has been featured by ESPN as the official artist of the 2017 US Open (tennis) and 2016 & 2017 Heisman Trophy Award ceremonies. They have been featured on The Tonight Show, Ellen, The Wendy William’s Show, NPR, and more. The group has collaborated creatively with artists such as Kanye West, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean and Alicia Keys.

Black Violin’s latest studio album Take the Stairs was released on November 1, 2019 and includes singles “Showoff”, “One Step”, and “Impossible is Possible”. The record debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Chart, #1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart, #7 on Billboard’s Top New Artists Chart, and #9 on the Billboard Hip Hop and R&B Chart. Their last album, Stereotypes, hit #1 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover chart and #4 on Billboard’s R&B Chart.

Listen to Take the Stairs here: orcd.co/takethestairs
For more information about Black Violin visit: blackviolin.net

A part of the Great Performances series sponsored by Jackson. Subscribe here.