Culture
Black Violin Wows Ohio University Audience
By: Domonique Alexander
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A crowd of nearly 1,200 rose to its feet in momentous applause on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at the Templeton Blackburn Memorial Auditorium. Excited cheers and enthusiastic dancing accompanied the performance of the classical/hip-hop string duo Black Violin.
Classically-trained musicians Kevin Sylvester (stage name Kev Marcus) and Wilner Baptiste (stage name Will B) compose the musical duo, and since their 2004 performance alongside Alicia Keys, the artists have found critical acclaim. Their success has led to collaborations with songwriters such as Tom Petty, and even an appearance on the children’s TV show Angelina Ballerina.
Like most successful musicians, the pair got their start early on. Viola player and singer Wil B found his passion after mistakenly being placed in viola classes, rather than his intended saxophone instruction. Violinist Marcus was introduced to musical performance by his mother to keep him out of trouble. The two attended school together until parting ways for college, only to reunite once more and form Black Violin years later.
In their 103rd show of the 2016 and their second show of the day, the duo excited the crowd with performances from their past albums, as well as popular songs by other artists. A brief rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” in dedication to Will B’s viola (named Tiffany) only enhanced the warm ambiance of cheerfulness and enjoyment. With each note, the atmosphere grew in liveliness as audience members of all ages, races, and creed sang, danced, and applauded.
Stage lighting bathing the artists in solid primary colors accompanied by fog added a feeling of electricity with energy that could be felt throughout the theater. This energy mounted during an improvisational performance featuring solos by both Wil B and Marcus, as well as their DJ and drummer. Shout outs to Athens and Ohio University connected with audience members on a personal level.
A classical performance followed, eventually melding with hip-hop beats to create a hybrid that has inspired similar groups such as Nuttin’ But Stringz. An introductory medley of some of history’s most known classical compositions presented the opportunity for both men the showcase the full range of their skills.
As their set neared its close, both artists sent forth a message to audience members. One, an encouragement of child musicians to continue in their studies, and never to allow themselves to be told they cannot or will not find success in thinking outside of the box. The other message, highly prevalent to current struggles nationwide urged those who have felt oppression not to stop fighting, never to become Invisible, performed after the speech.
