The genre-bending duo Black Violin is coming to Corning, presented by the Corning Civic Music Association. Founding member Wil Baptiste says the group’s unique blend of classical strings and hip hop started when he and violinist Kev Marcus were stand partners in high school orchestra.
“We met in high school, just regular kids in orchestra class,” Baptiste recalled. “We weren’t necessarily super competitive against each other, but we made each other better. And even then, we’d put our violins and viola on top of popular beats, just for fun.”
After college, the two reunited in Florida with dreams of becoming hip hop producers. What set them apart, Baptiste says, was their string instruments. “People were always amazed at these two Black guys in the back playing violin on these songs. We didn’t think anything of it—it was just fun. But when we went to the Apollo in Harlem and never lost, that’s when we realized, oh man, we might have something.”
That something has since turned into a national career, with audiences that defy easy categorization. “Some folks close their eyes and go inward, others are standing up waving their hands,” Baptiste said. “We emphasize the idea of expressing yourself in whichever way you feel during the show.”
Black Violin also collaborates with major artists, from DMX to Layla Hathaway. Their recent track with Hathaway, “Beautiful Day,” holds special meaning for Baptiste. “I was thinking about my kids while writing it. Kids are our biggest teachers, and Layla just took that song to another level.”
The duo is now touring in support of their latest album. “Who knows?” Baptiste said with a laugh. “Next year you might be asking me how it feels to have two Grammys.”
Black Violin performs Friday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Corning Museum of Glass, presented by the Corning Civic Music Association. More information is available at corningcivicmusic.org.