Buffalo State Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall Announces Spring Series

The Buffalo State Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall is excited to announce its Spring 2023 Great Performers Series, opening the season with classically trained hip-hop violinists Black Violin on Friday, March 10, at 8:00 p.m. Black Violin members Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound that is often described as “classical boom.” The duo released their major label debut, Stereotypes, on Universal Music, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart and No. 4 on the Billboard R&B Chart. National Public Radio (NPR) took note, declaring, “Their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.” With a heavy emphasis on educational outreach, Black Violin performs for more than 100,000 students each year. They have partnered with the National Association for Music Manufacturers to continue their advocacy for accessible music education.

Jazz and R&B superstar saxophonist Boney James makes his anticipated return to the Buffalo State Performing Arts Center on Thursday, April 6, at 8:00 p.m. for the first time in four years. During his 30-year career, James has earned four Grammy nominations, two NAACP Image Award nominations, and a Soul Train Award, while a dozen of his albums have landed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album chart. His 2020 studio release, Solid, was his highest charting release ever on the pop charts, peaking in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. And his most recent release, Detour, builds on the success of Solid. His 18th studio album, Detour represents the next extension of James’s trademark blend of genres, which includes blues, soul, roots, classical, art-pop, and hip-hop.