Black Violin - a Special Community Concert presented by Angelina Arts Alliance

Black Violin returns to Lufkin for a special community concert in partnership with Impact Lufkin. The group 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 Ali-cia Keys. In addition, Black Violin has performed for more than 100,000 students in the past 12 months throughout North America and Europe. 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. In 2018, Black Violin continued their successful Classical Boom Tour, opening in their hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, FL at The Broward Center. This tour is a follow up to the successful 2016-2017 UNITY tour, which saw 28 sold-out public performances. Recently, 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, Edward Norton, and Yo-Yo Ma, among other highly acclaimed members of the arts community. Black Violin served as the house band for ESPN's Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation, for the second consecutive year. In Fall of 2017, the network selected Black Violin’s track “Stereotypes” to promote the US Open tennis tournament. Black Violin’s most recent record, Stereotypes, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classi-cal 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 upends cultural and musical stereotypes…an unexpected blend of classically trained musicianship and hip-hop beats and inventiveness.” —The Miami Herald “The duo elicits brilliant music with poignant message for the world.” —Essence