Black Violin Brings Genre-Defying Beats to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on Mon., April 13, at 7:30 PM

CERRITOS, CA – Grammy-nominated violist Wil Baptiste and violinist Kev Marcus shake up cultural and musical stereotypes by masterfully blending Classical music with Hip-Hop shakes for a truly unique beat that has been called “classical boom.” Austin 101 Magazine called their performances “a sonic and visual feast.” See what all the buzz is about when Black Violin plays at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) on Monday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, with prices starting at $44, are available at cerritoscenter.com.

For nearly two decades, BLACK VIOLIN has been merging string arrangements with modern beats and vocals and building bridges in communities along the way. Baptiste and Marcus met in high school, where they were classically trained on the violin and viola, and reconnected after college to produce beats for South Florida rappers. The two went on to win Showtime at the Apollo in 2005, eventually selling out headline performances at venues across the country, including a two-night run at The Kennedy Center in 2018. Seeing the duo in action “was an experience of expecting greatness but being completely floored by the level of excellence,” enthused WRAL-TV. NPR declared: “Their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.”

Black Violin’s 2019 album Take the Stairs scored a Grammy nomination for “Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.” The band picked up its second Grammy nod for “Best Americana Performance” for The Message, a collaboration with The Blind Boys of Alabama. The Stereotypes album debuted in the No. One spot on Billboard’s Classical Crossover chart. The pair’s latest work is Full Circle, featuring Beautiful Day with R&B legend Lalah Hathaway. 

In 2019, the duo launched the Black Violin Foundation Inc., a nonprofit that provides access to quality music programs and scholarships to youth, regardless of their race, gender, or socio-economic status.

For tickets or more information, call (562) 916-8500 or go to cerritoscenter.com.

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