3/7/16 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Classical Music meets Hip Hop: Kev Marcus of Black Violin

Inspirational Tuesday
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Black Violins, Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste, who go by the stage names Kev Marcus and Will B are two classically trained violinists living their dream. The Florida natives began experimenting with playing stringed melodies over mash-ups of popular hip-hop songs. The duo had no idea this sound was something craved by a wide audience. Continue reading

3/1/16 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Chris Botti In Boston- Performs Emmanuel With Lucia Micarelli (PBS)

Inspirational-Tuesday
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Chris Botti and Lucia Micarelli perform Michel Colombier’s haunting modern classic Emmanuel.  Continue reading

10/30/15 O&A NYC With WaleStylez- Song Of The Day: Black Violin – Stereotypes

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Stereotypes marks the third LP but major-label debut for hip-hop/classical crossover duo Black Violin, who also incorporate jazz, R&B, roots, rap, and pop into their unconstrained sound. Violinist Marcus and violist Wil B invited numerous collaborators to the recording, including but not limited to Grammy-winning singer Melanie Fiona, rapper Pharoahe Monch, keyboardist Ray Angry (Dianne Reeves, Elvis Costello), drummer Daru Jones (Jack White, Talib Kweli), string arranger/performer Rob Moose (yMusic, Alabama Shakes, Bon Iver), and producer Eli Wolf (Norah Jones, Digable Planets).  Continue reading