Black Violin brings tour to Collar City
TROY, N.Y.» Black Violin is bringing its Classical Boom Tour to the Collar City on Friday, following another local students-only performance earlier this week.
On Monday the Florida-based duo, known for its unique blend of pop and classical music, performed a high-energy set to about 2,000 students at Saratoga Springs High School as part of Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s education program.
This Friday, members Wil B. and Kev Marcus will be back in the Capital Region for a public performance at the famed Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.
Combining their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multigenre sound that is often described as “classical boom,” Wil B. and Kev Marcus have risen to fame with a style of music that combines classical, hip-hop and R&B.
The musicians have appeared at President Obama’s inauguration and three Super Bowls. They’ve also collaborated with a who’s who of music superstars, including Kanye West, the Eagles, Tom Petty, Aerosmith WuTang Clan, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin.
The band released its major label debut Stereotypes (featuring Black Thought of The Roots and MC Pharoahe Monch) on Universal Music which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart.
The duo is currently writing and recording its next studio album, due out later this year.
For now, Black Violin is busy touring the U.S. and Europe. In addition to the local appearances this week, the group will be back in the Spa City this summer, performing to a sold-out crowd as part of the intimate SPAC on Stage series.
As displayed at the recent Saratoga Springs High School show, Black Violin place heavy emphasis on educational outreach. The artists have spent the last decade working to encourage and empower people of all ages, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, spreading a message that challenges the world’s view of what it means to rise above labels and inspiring fans to follow their passion. In the past year alone, the duo has played for nearly 100,000 students and more than 125 public shows across the U.S. and Europe.
For Black Violin’s upcoming Troy appearance, members of the Empire State Youth Orchestra will play with the duo during the evening performance. Additionally, any student who purchases a ticket is invited to attend the 5 p.m. sound check before the evening performance. Students can call the Music Hall Box Office, 518-273-0038, for more details.
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall executive director Jon Elbaum said the venue is very excited about bringing Black Violin back to the Music Hall. “Their performance here last year was amazing. I’ve never seen an audience so enthusiastic – I knew at the end of that show that we had to have them back,” he said. “Their unique blend of classical and hip hop really connects with younger fans and that’s really inspiring.”
Elizabeth Sobol, president and CEO of Saratoga Perform-
ing Arts Center, feels the same. “We were ecstatic to share the incredible talent of Black Violin with the entire student body of Saratoga Springs High School for an immersive and inspiring concert experience. The hip-hop meets classical duo aims to encourage, inspire and empower kids with a message about breaking stereotypes. And inspire students they did! The performances got kids up from their seats and dancing in the aisles -- experiencing world-class violinists playing Bach mixed with Cardi B’s hiphop beats and lyrics from an Ed Sheeran pop-ballad –- all while absorbing the artists’ powerful message about rising above labels,” she said. “While Black Violin is sold-out for our popular ‘SPAC on Stage’ series, there are still limited tickets available for our other genre-crossing artists joining the series.”
Tickets to Black Violin at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall at 8 p.m. on Friday are available online at www.troymusichall.org, by calling (518) 273-0038 or in person at the 30 Second St. venue box office in downtown Troy. Prices range from $29.50 to $49.50 per ticket.