Doors open at 7p for this event!

Step into Black Violin’s Full Circle Tour, where GRAMMY-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus redefine the possibilities of music by merging classical depth with hip-hop’s pulse.

This tour captures the essence of returning to where it all began—transformed and reimagined. Each powerful performance invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys, discovering that even as we evolve, we’re often drawn back to our roots with renewed purpose.

From high school orchestra classmates to groundbreaking artists, Black Violin’s path reflects resilience, creativity, and the courage to challenge expectations. With their Black Violin Foundation reaching over 100,000 students each year, they’re building a legacy that transcends the stage, inspiring a new generation to dream boldly. Join them for an unforgettable night that celebrates growth, music, and the beauty of coming full circle.

Follow Black Violin:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/blackviolin/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BlackViolinMusic/

Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@blackviolinmusic

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4zeHJ3kiJyjYXlIOcG4MA7?si=fFz584TKS3mBl2mWLXktBQ

Website - http://blackviolin.net

Black Violin Abbreviated Biography

For nearly two decades, Black Violin has been merging string arrangements with modern beats and vocals and building bridges in communities along the way. Members Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste first met in orchestra class at Dillard High School in Fort

Lauderdale, becoming classically trained on the violin and viola through their high school and college careers. Post-college, they reconvened to produce beats for South Florida rappers, and began building an audience in local clubs. They later went on to win Showtime at the Apollo in 2005, and eventually sold out headline performances at venues across the country, including a sold out two-night headline run at The Kennedy Center in 2018. NPR took note and declared “their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.” Black Violin’s 2019 album release, Take the Stairs, earned a Grammy Award nomination for “Best Contemporary Instrumental Album”. The band also recently received their second ever Grammy Award nomination for the track “The Message” as Best Americana Performance, in collaboration with The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Black Violin has plays roughly 200 shows a year; many of which are performances for young, low-income students in urban communities. In the last year alone, the group has played for over 100,000 students with the goal of challenging stereotypes and preconceived notions of what a “classical musician” looks and sounds like. “The stereotypes are always there, embedded so deep in our culture,” says Wil. “Just by nature of our existence we challenge those ideas. It’s a unique thing that brings people together who aren’t usually in the same room, and in the current climate, it’s good to bring people together.”

In 2019, the group launched the Black Violin Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth by providing access to quality music programs in their community. BVF believes that music and access to music programs should not be determined by race, gender, or socio-economic status. Black Violin Foundation’s inaugural program the Musical Innovation Grant for Continuing Education will provide scholarships to young music students to attend a program of their liking that fosters musical creativity and innovation.

For more info on Black Violin: http://www.blackviolin.net

For more info on the Black Violin Foundation: http://www.blackviolinfoundation.org

Discography: http://blackviolin.net/albums/

With Support from:

Abraham Alexander

Academy Award® nominated artist Abraham Alexander is a rising singer songwriter whose soulful fusion of blues, folk, and gospel has captivated audiences around the world. Born in Athens, Greece to Nigerian parents and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Alexander turned to musicmfollowing a career ending soccer injury and personal tragedy. He released his breakout self-titled EP in 2019, earning attention for his emotional storytelling and powerful vocal presence.

In 2023, Alexander released his critically acclaimed debut album SEA/SONS, featuring collaborations with music legends Mavis Staples and Gary Clark Jr. The album debuted on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and helped solidify his place among the next generation of influential American songwriters. In 2024, his original song “Like a Bird," for the A24 film Sing Sing, earned an Academy Award® nomination for Best Original Song.

Alexander has performed at major festivals including Newport Folk Festival, Austin City Limits, and Bonnaroo, and toured with artists such as Leon Bridges, The Lumineers, and Mavis Staples. With his powerful presence and genre-defying sound, he continues to emerge as one of the most vital and visionary voices in contemporary music.

Please Note: This is a Flagstar Strand Signature Event. If you have questions regarding ticketing, please reach out directly to the box office at 248.309.6445 option 2.