Black Violin leaves students shouting and cheering

Crowd pleaser

By MIKE DUNHAM
mdunham@adn.com

Published: April 1st, 2009 06:06 PM
Last Modified: April 1st, 2009 06:18 PM

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Kev Marcus and Wil B perform as part of Black Violin.

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You don't expect to see an auditorium full of grade school and junior high kids waving their hands in the air, shouting and cheering while musicians play Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.

But there's a lot that's unexpected when Black Violin takes the stage -- as they will tonight in Atwood Concert Hall.

Let's start with the instruments. Kev (Kevin) Marcus plays a wildly excavated custom electric violin. Wil-B (aka "Simply Sick") plays an amplified acoustic viola. Then there's djtk (as in DEE-jay-TEE-kay), who accompanies them by mixing vinyl and percussive effects.

At their Wednesday morning show for Anchorage school students, they spent a good deal of time fiddling along with current pop hits: Flo Rida's "Right Round," Lady Gaga's "Just Dance," music by Akon, Kanye West and Keri Hilson.

If none of this is ringing a bell with readers old enough to vote, don't worry about it. Our juniors know every lick, every song, every artist. Two beats and the youngsters around me were singing the lyrics in chorus -- sometimes so loud that I honestly couldn't have recognized it if Black Violin had broken into the "1812 Overture" complete with cannons. Which they just might do.

The playing in much of the jam-alongs was mostly copying the melody and sometimes extemporizing with rapid repeats, sort of like Philip Glass. The energy and intensity drove the excitement in these cases, and a blend of Gypsy flamboyance and modal flavors.

They also did a couple of full-blown freestyle improvisations and some of their own numbers, including "Jammin'." At another point, they faced off in a musical "duel," with the audience's cheers determining the victor.

When they announced that they were going to do some classical music, the cheers felt a little muted. Wil-B quickly assured them that, although this was indeed classical music, they'd "throw a little sick on it." Then they launched into "Brandenburg," their locomotive take on one of Bach's most danceable tunes, with djtk tossing in the occasional sonic accessory. It all met with the crowd's full approval.

It provided them with the chance to supply a little music education -- like the difference between a violin and a viola, electric and acoustic.

The longtime friends picked up the violin in public school in Miami and have performed with both pops and symphonic orchestras. Each earned full-blown college scholarships thanks to their musicianship, Marcus told the audience.

After college they put their act together, played Miami clubs, then got a break when Alicia Keyes -- another accomplished classical musician who's made big bucks in pop -- "gave us a shot."

Since then they've played with big names like Akon, West and Lil' Wayne and the Wu-Tang Clan. Their sets are packed with the hits from on-the-radio-right-now performers like Jamie Foxx and Coldplay.

From their own experience and observation of the stars with whom they've worked, Marcus gave this advice for success to the young crowd. "Whether you're a musician or a scientist or a teacher, outwork everybody else who tries to do whatever you're doing."

• Find Mike Dunham online at adn.com/contact/mdunham or call 257-4332.

Black Violin performs at 7:30 p.m. today in Atwood Concert Hall, presented by Alaska Junior Theater. Tickets are $12-$27 and are available by calling 263-2787 and www.akjt.org. Alaska Junior Theater's Annual Benefit Dinner Will also feature Black Violin as special guests. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Saturday, at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown. Tickets are $75, $50 for teachers, available at www.akjt.org.

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