Black Violin sells out theater
By John Joyce
Published in News on January 22, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Wil Baptiste plays his viola during a Black Violin performance at the Paramount Theatre on Thursday.
Wilner "Wil B" Bapiste and Kevin "Kev Marcus" Sylvester do not seek to break down stereotypes.
They shred them piece by piece.
Together as Black Violin, the duo, accompanied by drummer Nat Stokes and DJ SPS, brought a sold-out crowd to its feet often and with little effort during their performance at the Paramount Theatre on Thursday night.
The buzz surrounding their first sold-out show in 2015 was such that Paramount director Sherry Archibald said a return show this year was inevitable.
"We just had to bring them back," she said.
And if the response to Thursday's show is any indication, it might be a good idea to order tickets to the 2017 show today.
Black Violin played two shows -- the first a kids-only show for area elementary and middle school students -- and a public performance geared more toward adults.
Neither show disappointed.
Kev Marcus said that while he and Wil B did not necessarily set out to incorporate performances for school kids when they embarked on their professional music careers, it became evident early on that it was something they could -- and should -- do.
"We do it in most towns, so I don't know if we thought we were going to end up doing it when we were younger. I don't know if that was the goal," Kev Marcus said. "But because we can do that, it is just kind of karmic. It's our way of giving back. And the kids go wild for it."
Dr. Thomas Smith, retired U.S. Air Force Command master chief and now school behavior specialist at Dillard Academy charter school, said the inspiration and education Black Violin provides his students is unique.
"Not only are they entertainers, it is cultural enrichment to (the students.) It shows them there is more to life than football or basketball," Smith said.
Dillard is constantly seeking new ways to expose its students to aspects of life they might not otherwise come across in their daily lives as a means to enhance their early education.
"It's not just about the ABCs, Smith said. "You have to make the students well rounded."
Black Violin is aware of their example. The duo is as comfortable serving as role models as they are playing to a packed house or backing up an acclaimed artist's strings section -- all three they of which they say is routine.
"In a lot of ways, we're them. We probably grew up in the same type of circumstances, and when we were in middle school, elementary school, just like them we were just trying to figure out what is going on, what the world is about," Wil B said. "So we can relate, we can understand. When we're performing, we're talking to them at the same time. They see us, they see how we're dressed. So it's relateable. I probably look like one of their uncles," he said.
Both Wil B and Kev Marcus began their love affairs with music in middle and high school. The Miami-based duo met in orchestra class their sophomore year. And it truly is a love affair. Wil B often serenades his violin, "Tiffany," during their performance.
In addition to being role models and entertainers, the two young, athletic-looking black men consider themselves genre-busters. They are usually dressed in jeans and ball caps, yet arm themselves with instruments rather than weapons or a ball -- the two most likely images conjured when people first meet them, Kev Marcus said.
"I'm a big black dude, able to play the violin at a really high level. I can change people's perceptions of what they thought of me," he said. "When I started realizing that is kind of when I started kind of weaponizing this (talent.) I said, 'I can use this on anyone I see.' I'm 260 (pounds) I should be playing for the Panthers, but I'm playing violin, you know, and it's sold out tonight."
Black Violin has played in 49 states and 36 countries, appeared with stars such as Alicia Keyes and Jordin Sparks, and backed up artists from P. Diddy to Tom Petty. But it is not raw talent that got them where they are today. And that is the message they convey to kids during their school shows.
"Talent, at the end of the day, has nothing to do with it. I know some of the most talented individuals that ain't doing nothing. It is all hard work," Wil B said. "And that is with anything, I mean look at Michael Jordan, sure he is talented, but, his hard work is documented."
Their latest album, aptly named, is called, "Stereotypes." It is available on iTunes or anywhere music is sold.
Due to the weather, the guys will have a few days off rather than playing another two shows in Raleigh that have been rescheduled for Spring. The rest is much needed, considering Black Violin played 161 shows in 2015, and has played 13 shows already this year.
The album title is about both perspective and introspection, Wil B said.
For as much power as Kev Marcus acknowledged the duo has in changing other people's perceptions, Wil B said the byproduct of that ability has had a lasting impact on the musicians as well.
"For me, I think it has made us a little more sympathetic and understanding to the way the world views things. Even me, I have my own stereotypes. If an Asian guy told me he was a mechanic, I'd be like, 'Really?'
"We all have our own things, but I think that opened our hearts and our minds. We have the possibility of really connecting in a way that we never really connected before. And it's more important now than ever."