Black Violin

CALGARY INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENʼS FESTIVAL PRESENTS – BLACK VIOLIN

Every so often Calgary is visited by amazing musical acts.  I’d like to take the time to tell you about Black Violin.  Check out the press release from the organizers of the Calgary International Children’s Festival:

Young men who mix the brashness and beats of urban hip-hop with the soaring lines and fleet finger work of orchestral virtuosos. — New York Times

Calgary, AB – P. Diddy, Alicia Keys, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Aretha Franklin and the Eagles  are just a few of the artists that Black Violin (USA) have shared the bill with and now the duo is  coming to Calgary. On May 28 & 29 the ingenious duo of Black Violin will present their inspired fusion of classical and hip-hop as part of the line-up of the 2010 Calgary International Childrenʼs Festival, presented by Qualico Communities.

With their neo-classical and urban style of violin mixtures, vocals and funk, Black Violin presents music that crosses age, cultural and musical boundaries – and with it an incredible opportunity to inspire young people. Kev Marcus, and Wil B, both classically trained musicians and graduates of Dillard Performing Arts High School, used their musical talents to earn full scholarships to college.  Now, they want to make sure that young people get the same exposure to the arts, and therefore the same opportunity that they did. They have been given an Award by the Brooklyn Center for Performing Arts for their Outstanding Contributions to Middle & High School Performing Arts Students.

Black Violin began gaining notoriety when they were awarded “Showtime at the Apollo Legends” in 2004. They have performed at the 2004 Billboards Awards with Alicia Keys, toured internationally with Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, performed at the NFL Kick off party with Sean “Diddy” Combs, and has shared stages with hit artists who include: Stevie Nicks, The Eagles, Nas, Kayne West, Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, Linkin Park, Aerosmith, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Fabolous, Ciara, Tony Touch, Iconz, Wreckonize and Ludacris. Also they have performed on various albums for artist such as Brooke Hogan, Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, Lil Kim, Bone Crusher, Bad New Brown, and Jean a Latin musician on the Sony International Label.

Black Violin will perform at the Calgary International Childrenʼs Festival, presented by Qualico Communities, Friday, May 28 @ 10am and Saturday, May 29 @ 7:30pm in the Jack Singer Concert Hall of the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $12.50 for the Friday performance and $15 for the Saturday performance. For tickets and information visit calgarychildfest.org or call 403-294-9494.