Black Violin - The Be Free Tour 2026 at The Kent Stage November 8th

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’s Be Free Tour is a high-energy, genre-defying experience that merges the duo’s classical training with the pulse of hip-hop, creating a performance that is both powerful and deeply inspiring. GRAMMY nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus invite audiences into a night of boundary breaking music, where soaring strings, bold beats, and messages of authenticity and self-expression take center stage.

More than a concert, the Be Free Tour is a celebration of individuality, creativity, and connection encouraging audiences to let go, be fully themselves, and experience the transformative power of music together. From electrifying performances to moments of reflection and joy, Black Violin creates an atmosphere where freedom of expression is not only welcomed, but celebrated.

Known for challenging expectations and redefining what string music can be, Black Violin continues to inspire audiences around the world while reaching over 100,000 students annually through the Black Violin Foundation. Join them for an unforgettable evening of music, movement, and the freedom to be unapologetically yourself.