MARCH 8, 2019
BLACK VIOLIN
7 pm
of the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL. After attending college on full music
scholarships, the duo formed Black Violin and started covering their favorite hip-hop
songs. The act immediately gained popularity in South Florida, and their distinctive
Apollo, where they won and continued to win.
Since then, Black Violin’s career has exploded with national press attention, annual
headline tours at some of the most respected venues in the US, a chart topping album,
and more. The band, now joined on stage by DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes, plays
over 100 shows per year and has performed for more than 100,000 students in the
past 12 months. Black Violin has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, The PBS
artist for the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament. Black Violin has also performed for the
Wil and Kev greatly value and appreciate the importance of music education, dedicating
much of their time to working with students and schools. In December, Black Violin was
announced as the Turnaround Artist for Mary B. Bethune Elementary School in their
hometown of Broward County, FL. Turnaround Arts, a national education program of
the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, infuses arts into struggling schools
Arts and the Humanities in 2012, the program partners schools with music instrument
grants, arts supplies, professional development, musicals, and pairs each school with
an artist to provide mentorship, inspiration, and support for the school’s journey in the
program. Turnaround Artists include Elton John, Edward Norton, and Yo-Yo Ma; just a
few among other highly acclaimed members of the arts community.
In addition, the band is endorsed by Yamaha Music, and has partnered with the
National Association for Music Manufacturers (NAMM) to continue their advocacy for
accessible music education. They began a partnership with Bose last year.
After a successful touring season, which included back-to-back sellouts at the Kennedy
Center in Washington, DC, Black Violin is currently working on their upcoming studio album.
CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER: 2018-2019 SEASON PROGRAM: SPRING | 105