New York, NY (Top40 Charts) "Here's the remarkable thing about Black Violin. Unlike a lot of crossover concepts, this one never sounds like an arranged marriage... fully integrated and beautifully subsumed," said the Philadelphia Inquirer about Black Violin, who are bringing their singular blend of hip-hop and classical music on the road for an extensive 2016 US tour, including performances for 20,000 fifth grade students on February 17, 18 and 19, at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA.
The tour follows an explosive 2015 for the duo: they just performed on Ellen with Alessia Cara, have recently been profiled on NPR's Morning Edition and in The Miami Herald, performed on Wendy Williams, Good Day NY and Skee TV, will appear on a forthcoming PBS Newshour episode, and saw their new album 'Stereotypes' debut at peak positions on the Billboard charts in between the likes of The Weeknd, Prince and Yo-Yo Ma, including #1 on the Classical and Classical Crossover and Top 5 on R&B Albums.
Listen to the NPR Morning Edition segment: https://n.pr/1LiTWeN
Watch them perform on The Wendy Williams Show: https://bit.ly/1gGFlNm
With Alessia Cara on Ellen: https://youtu.be/XFb-gwZ6mkc
On 'Stereotypes,' Wilner "Wil B" Baptiste (viola) and Kevin "Kev" Marcus Sylvester (violin) imbue everything from dancefloor-igniting R&B to subwoofer-bursting rap with masterful instrumental flourishes and a positive social message.
Classically trained musicians, Black Violin have opened for such diverse top names in music as Kanye West, 50 Cent, Aerosmith and Tom Petty, and also creatively collaborated with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Linkin Park, Wyclef Jean and Alicia Keys, the latter for the Billboard Music Awards. They also performed for President Obama at his second inauguration.
Live, Black Violin are joined onstage by a drummer and turntablist, transforming their recordings into a visceral, virtuosic experience. While on tour, Black Violin often visit schools to perform and speak about the importance of music education. Demonstrating their commitment to the cause, they have performed for over 100,000 students over the last year.
Praise for Black Violin:
"Their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation." -- NPR
"Remarkable...Unlike a lot of crossover concepts, this one never sounds like an arranged marriage. The classical material, while clearly secondary to the hip-hop, becomes fully integrated and beautifully subsumed." -- Philadelphia Inquirer
"The duo elicits brilliant music with a poignant message for the world." -- Essence
"Marries the virtuosic playing of Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus with hip-hop beats and R&B arrangements...the strings simply take front stage as they so richly deserve." -- Electronic Musician
Tour Dates:
01/12 - Sarasota, FL - Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
01/15 - Chandler, AZ - The Chandler Center For The Arts
01/16 - Saratoga, CA - Montalvo Arts Center
01/17 - Oakland, CA - Yoshi's Oakland
01/19 - Lancaster, CA - Lancaster Performing Arts Center
01/21 - Goldsboro, NC - Paramount Theater
01/22 - Durham, NC - Carolina Theatre
01/23 - Greenville, NC - East Carolina University
02/03 - Tampa, FL - Straz Center For The Performing Arts
02/05 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Broward Center For The Performing Arts
02/09 - Lufkin, TX - Angelina Arts Alliance
02/12 - Lubbock, TX - Allen Theatre
02/20 - San Diego, CA - Jacobs Center For The Neighborhood
02/22 - Santa Rosa, CA - Wells Fargo Center For The Arts
02/23 - Santa Rosa, CA - Wells Fargo Center For The Arts
02/24 - Portland, OR - Newmark Theatre
02/25 - Tacoma, WA - Broadway Center For The Performing Arts
03/03 - Jacksonville, FL - Ritz Theatre and Museum
03/06 - Tallahassee, FL - Tallahassee Symphony
03/11 - Dayton, OH - Victoria Theatre
03/24 - Charlotte, NC - Blumenthal Performing Arts
03/26 - High Point, NC - High Point Theatre
03/30 - Vienna, VA - The Barns at Wolf Trap
03/31 - Vienna, VA - The Barns at Wolf Trap
04/01 - Blue Bell, PA - Montgomery Science Center Theatre
04/09 - Memphis, TN - The Orpheum Theatre
04/15 - Mt. Airy, NC - Historic Earle Theatre
04/16 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
04/22 - Bell Glade, FL - Dolly Hand Cultural Art Center
04/29 - Austin, TX - The Long Center
04/30 - Dallas, TX - The Kessler Theater
