Black Violin performs at Keller Auditorium

Portland’5 presents Black Violin at the Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St., Portland, at 7:30 p.m. March 26, as part of the Black Violin Experience Tour. Tickets are $35 to $65, available at portland5.com/keller-auditorium/events/black-violin.

Black Violin is led by classically trained string players Wil B. (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin). Joining them onstage are DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes. The band blends classical and hip-hop music, or “classical boom,” to overcome stereotypes and encourage people of all ages, races and economic backgrounds to break down cultural barriers.

Black Violin’s latest album, “Take the Stairs,” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Chart, #1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart, #7 on Billboard’s Top New Artists Chart, #9 on the Billboard Hip Hop and R&B Chart and received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Their last record, “Stereotypes,” also debuted #1 on Classical Crossover Chart and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart. Creative collaborations include Kanye West, Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean, Lil Wayne and Alicia Keys. The group advocates for educational outreach and in the past 12 months has performed for over 100,000 students in the United States and Europe. Learn more at blackviolin.net.