Thu 6/26 @ 8PM
Wilner “Wil B” Baptiste and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester, collectively known as Black Violin, are classically trained players who have been pushing the pocket of what violins can do for a decade.
Their act explores classical music and rock, R&B, hip hop and bluegrass. They’ve worked with artists ranging from Gym Class Heroes to Tom Petty, Kanye West to Aretha Franklin to the Eagles.
Part of what they do is show kids that learning to play music is a cool thing, especially for kids who are African-American like themselves, encouraging them to challenge themselves beyond the easy paths of MC’ing and rapping. And the video they made for “Triumph” from their 2012 album Classically Trained revolves around a kid torn between street temptations and playing a musical instrument.
So yes, by all means, bring your kids when Black Violin plays at Cain Park’s Alma Amphitheater. The tickets aren’t just cheap — a mere $15 — they’re even cheaper for kid, only $10. But that violin they’re going to want after the concert is going to cost you!
Opening act, Cleveland’s Distinguished Gentlemen of the Spoken Word, have a mission to encourage and uplift kids too, using the power of poetry and words to reach out to at-risk boys.