String kings
For two Atlanta-based African-American school kids infatuated with hip hop, Wil Baptiste and Kevin Sylvester didn't exactly seek out band classes where they could learn classical music on viola and violin, respectively. But, owing to which instruments were still available, that's what they learned.
That's the genesis of Black Violin, the astonishing duo appearing Monday at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center — a performance being taped for future telecast by Connecticut Public Television. Both musicians are now violin virtuosos whose affection for and mastery of classical repertoire is substantial. At the same time, their love of rap has always been there, and their melding of two styles is something wonderful and utterly distinctive.
Since springing to national success through 2005 triumphs on "Showtime at the Apollo," Black Violin has toured steadily and built a global and cross-cultural fan base. Albums like the recent "Stereotypes" are both timely and buoyantly infectious, and BV has also worked with a variety of artists ranging from Wu Tang Clan and Alicia Keyes to Aerosmith and Tom Petty.
See an interview with Black Violin in Sunday's Daybreak section. COLIN BRENNAN
Black Violin, 8 p.m. Monday, Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook; $45-$55; 1-877503-1286, thekate.org.