Friday, March 29, 2024

Take A Bow

Tony B. puts a hip-hop and R&B spin on a classical instrument.

It is not uncommon to be entertained by violinist Tony B. Williams while attending a gala, enjoying a festival, or just walking down the street on the Las Vegas Strip. This multifaceted musician can delight audiences of the most sophisticated classical concerto, as well as those who tastes run exclusively to hip-hop and R&B.

Originally from Detroit, Tony B. came to Las Vegas with his parents at the age of nine. He remembers being introduced to the violin at a very young age. “Honestly, it was within the first two weeks of middle school when I picked up the violin in my classroom and the instructor encouraged me to keep trying to play it,” he recalled. “The sound was fascinating to me, and I kept playing and practicing until I became a professional violinist.”

Tony B admits that it has taken him a while to manipulate the sound from the violin in order to make it his own.

“Actually, I made a conscious decision to play more exciting R&B sounds from my violin,” he said. “I tell everyone that it has not been easy — and it took a long time to play from my heart and develop my own unique sound. My musical sound initially  started when I would write my music on top of other beats — but I developed from that, and now I write my own original music along with my own funky beats.”

Performing and traveling primarily in the Western region, Tony B. is excited about the release of his new compilation of music in 2018.

“I have had the pleasure of meeting many top entertainers, musicians, and developing great relationships,” he said. “Many agreed to perform with me on my new music project, and I met the majority of these entertainers while performing live on the Las Vegas Strip.

“I am not going to lie: the best thing for me was street performing. I met a lot of celebrities and people from around the world. My career has advanced to opening for major recording artists such as Marsha Ambrosius, and receiving the verbal endorsement from music producing icon Teddy Riley. But I will get back to performing on the street, because it is so authentic for me.”

Tony B. may soon become a regular performer at the Blue Martini Nightclub, but giving back to the community will always be his passion and priority.

“I always play in schools because it is important to keep our youth interested in the arts,” he said. “I am an advocate because I am a product of the Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts — and if a musical curriculum wasn’t available to me, I wouldn’t be a violinist today.”

Shaunie O’Neal & Tony B

Tony B and Teddy Riley

Tony B.

Violinist Tony B and football great Richard
Sherman

Waka Flocka and Tony B

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