School Performance: Black Violin (KCYS)

This performance is part of the Krannert Center Youth Series, school-day performances for public, private, and home schools, grades PreK-12. View the general public event page.

Classically trained violinist Kevin "Kev Marcus" Sylvester and violist Wil "Wil B." Baptiste first met up at their Fort Lauderdale high school before reuniting post-college to form Black Violin, which celebrates the synergy between classical and hip-hop music. Taking their name from the great swing-era African-American violinist Stuff Smith's influential album, this inspiring duo has been named one of South by Southwest's hottest bands, clinched a Showtime at the Apollo Legend title, and conspired with the likes of Alicia Keys, Wu-Tang Clan, and Aerosmith. Backed live by their band featuring turntable ace DJ TK (Dwayne Dayal), they've given rise to a distinct musical voice that is at once "delicate, different and, dare it be said, funky" (OZY Media).

Recommended for grades 3-12
Performance length: 60 minutes