Black Violin Continues “Classical Boom Tour”, New Track & Video Expected in August

Black Violin will continue their successful Classical Boom Tour. The band will return to the road after spending the summer working on their upcoming album due out in 2019. The tour is a continuation of their well-received winter run which included back-to-back sold out performances at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C..

The 2019 tour will make a stop at the Marcus Center's Uihlein Hall on Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 pm. Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 30 at 12:00 pm and can be purchased in person at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee, online at Ticketmaster.com or MarcusCenter.org or by phone at 414-273-7206. Groups 10 or more can purchase now and should call Group Sales at 414-273-7121 x210 or x213. This show is co-presented by the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and Black Arts MKE and is part of the Marcus Center Presents series sponsored by The Fitz at The Ambassador Hotel.

Black Violin is currently writing and recording their next studio album with a track and music video expected to be released later this summer. The band's most recent record, Stereotypes, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart. NPR praised the album and band, saying "their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation."

Earlier in the year, Black Violin was announced as the Turnaround Artist for Mary B. Bethune Elementary School in their hometown of Broward County, FL. Turnaround Arts, a national education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, infuses arts into struggling schools to support overall reform efforts. Founded by President Obama's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in 2012, the program partners schools with music instrument grants, arts supplies, professional development, musicals, and pairs each school with an artist to provide mentorship, inspiration, and support for the school's journey in the program. Turnaround Artists include Elton John, Edward Norton, and Yo-Yo Ma, among other highly acclaimed members of the arts community.

Black Violin is composed of classically trained violist and violinist Wil B. And Kev Marcus, who combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound that is often described as "classical boom." Black Violin has shared stages with top names including Kanye West, Aerosmith and Tom Petty, and has creatively collaborated with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean and Alicia Keys.

The duo composed music for the television series Pitch which debuted on FOXin 2016, in addition to appearances on HBO's Ballers, The Tonight Show, The Wendy Williams Show, The Kate TV, and The Ellen Show.

In addition, Black Violin has performed for more than 100,000 students in the past 12 months throughout North America and Europe. The band is endorsed by Yamaha Music and Bose, and has partnered with the National Association for Music Manufacturers (NAMM) to continue their advocacy for accessible music education.

ABOUT THE MARCUS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Established in 1969, the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is the premier performing arts community gathering space in Southeastern Wisconsin. As the Marcus Center moves into its 49th year, it continues to build bridges between diverse members of our community through high-quality arts entertainment in the region and the state. The touring Broadway series, sponsored by Associated Bank, is recognized as bringing the best of Broadway entertainment to Milwaukee for the past 20 years and provides opportunities to educate, entertain and engage audiences. The Marcus Center is also the home to the Milwaukee Symphony, Milwaukee Ballet, Florentine Opera, First Stage plus a variety of other important community and family events throughout the year. For more information about events visit the Marcus Center website at www.MarcusCenter.org. The Marcus Center is a private non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation and is a dedicated veterans memorial in Milwaukee.

ABOUT BLACK ARTS MKE
We're committed to increasing the availability and quality of African American arts. We collaborate with local artists and arts organizations to bring renowned and original performance arts works by African American authors, playwrights, poets, musicians, and composers to our community. Our arts education outreach and community programs serve over 8,850 at-risk youth and their families. Presented by member group Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, our annual signature event Black Nativity by Langston Hughes is a new holiday musical favorite in Milwaukee. Black Arts MKE is a proud Affiliate Member of United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) and an in-residence group at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Black Arts MKE is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

ABOUT THE FITZ AT THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL
The Fitz, located in the iconic Ambassador Hotel, is one of three reimagined dining entities opened in late June 2017. The Fitz joins Gin Rickey and Deco Café as part of the Ambassador's "Trifecta of Dining Excellence". The Fitz features a menu of bold, creative flavors, crafted with influences from yesteryear by the culinary expertise of award winning Chef Jason Gorman. The Fitz's name is a nod to F. Scott Fitzgerald and his energy and creative storytelling throughout the roaring twenties, the decade during which The Ambassador Hotel was founded. The Fitz offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, each of which celebrates the rich history of the hotel with Gorman's contemporary take on the classics. Guests of the Ambassador Hotel, the Fitz, Deco Café' and Gin Rickey are all welcome to take advantage of complimentary parking at the hotel and complimentary shuttle service to and from the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.