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“We make it a show and give it a theater. We’re speaking with the violins and not with our mouths.” These are the words of the classically trained, three - time Apollo winning duo “Black Violin” whose rhythms leave listeners completely mesmerized in a “hypnotically hyped state.” Kev Marcus and Wil-B make up this dynamic “violin- stroking duo” that has skillfully revolutionized a new category of classical music with the combination of many genres of music and sounds that have been taking the music industry by storm. Armed with an innate passion for their craft, Kev Marcus and Wil-B have been friends since middle school.
Wil-B
Wil-B “Simply Sick” age 23, attended Dillard High School of Performing Arts, and joined the school band where he played the saxophone. At the age of 13 he was mistakenly put in the strings section of the band. But as luck would have it he mastered and grew to love it. He has participated with local pop orchestras such as the Young Artist Contemporary Orchestra in Palm Beach, Florida. Not only is this young man talented on the violin but he also can sing, play the piano, drums, trumpet and the bass guitar. His influences include some well - known musical artists such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, AZ, Jill Scott, Talib Kwali and Ludacris.
Kev Marcus
The second master of this unique duo, Kev Marcus, age 23, also attended Dillard High School of Performing Arts. He was encouraged by his mother and teachers at the age of nine to begin playing the violin. From there he grew so intrigued by it that he couldn’t let it go. He also began to participate with the local pop orchestras, the Miami Symphony and was also a semi-finalist in the Sphinx National Competition for Blacks and Latino’s in 2000. His musical artist influences are past great pioneers of the music world, such as Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and Nat King Cole. Kev Marcus also has been influenced by some of today’s artists such as Mos Def, Notorious BIG, and Tupac Shakur.
The Movement
After high school the two enrolled at the Florida State University. There they met their manager Sam G and co-founded the production DKNEX which stands for Di-Versatile Music. Their group name, “Black Violin” is derived from the influence of a famous Jazz violinist, Stuff Smith, who changed the art and way of music played on a violin, and whose last album was entitled Black Violin.
“Black Violin” captivated the audience in Harlem and clinched the Showtime at the Apollo 2005 Legend title. Black Violin's notoriety has risen with their amazing performance accompanying Alicia Keys at the 2004 Billboard Awards, and by performing on the same bill with some of the industry's biggest artists. Such artists include Aerosmith, The Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Linkin Park, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Nas, Fabolous, Ciara, Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, Tony Touch, and Miami's own Iconz and Wrecognize just to name a few. Black Violin’s ardor for music and neo-classical, innovative, urban style of violin mixtures, vocals, and funk has exploded onto the music scene with the consistency of listeners wanting more and more.
The duo has also performed on the Thank God its Friday Comedy Tour, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Carson Daly Show, Good Morning Chicago, Fox News In the Morning, BET Black Film Festival, and Jax Live ESPN to name a few. With events ranging from concerts, to colleges, to elementary schools, to Bar Mitzvah’s and their musical knowledge there is no reason this unique duo should not be your number one performance band and on your tour list.
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