Carol Morsani Hall
Tampa, FL 33602
Fort Lauderdale’s Black Violin brings together the classical training of violinist Kev Marcus and violist/vocalist Wil B. with hip-hop rhythms, contemporary production and improvisation. The two musicians first met in orchestra class at Dillard High School of the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale in 1996. Marcus later attended Florida International University while Wil B. studied at Florida State University, and the two reunited after college to begin developing the musical approach that became Black Violin.
Performing together professionally since 2004, Marcus and Wil B. initially built an audience by adapting hip-hop material for violin and viola and performing in clubs. An appearance on Showtime at the Apollo became an early career milestone when the duo won the program’s talent competition. Opportunities soon followed to perform with Alicia Keys and tour or collaborate with artists including Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz. In 2013, Black Violin also performed as part of the Kids’ Inaugural Concert in Washington, D.C.
Over more than two decades, Black Violin has developed an extensive touring career while continuing to connect its classical foundation with hip-hop, R&B and other contemporary influences. The duo’s 2019 album Take the Stairs received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and Black Violin later earned another Grammy nomination through its collaboration with the Blind Boys of Alabama. Their recordings include Stereotypes, Take the Stairs and Full Circle, the latter expanding the group’s sound through collaboration with its touring band and longtime producer Phil Beaudreau.
The musicians have also maintained strong ties to music education. Through school performances, workshops and community programs, Black Violin reaches students around the country, and the duo established the Black Violin Foundation in 2019 to help provide young people with access to music education. That work includes an ongoing connection with Bethune Elementary in Broward County, near the South Florida community where Marcus and Wil B. grew up.
Joining Black Violin on The Be Free Tour is saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter and composer Braxton Cook. Raised in Maryland, Cook studied at Georgetown University before transferring to The Juilliard School to pursue jazz studies. Early in his professional career he became a member of trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah’s band and went on to perform or tour with artists and ensembles including the Christian McBride Big Band, Marquis Hill, Solange and Rihanna.
Cook’s own music places the alto saxophone alongside his singing and songwriting, drawing from jazz, R&B, soul, funk and contemporary popular music. His solo catalog includes Somewhere in Between, No Doubt, Fire Sign, Who Are You When No One Is Watching? and the 2025 album Not Everyone Can Go. Across those recordings, Cook has continued developing a sound in which improvisation and jazz musicianship share space with song-oriented writing and vocals.
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Making the scene since 2006!
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